It's all go at the Met
January 13 2012
Video: AFP
Not only has the Metropolitan Museum in New York seen a record rise in visitor numbers (to 5.6 million, and that's despite putting the entrace price up), but they've also opened a swish new wing dedicated to American painting, sculpture and design. The new wing will display a staggering 17,000 objects.
I shall look forward to seeing it when I go to New York next weekend to view the Old Master sales. There's always an interesting moment at the Met on the Sunday before the sales. Because the museum opens at 9.30am, it is the perfect place to pass the time till the auction house viewings open at midday. So usually you'll find a gaggle of European dealers (who, being jet-lagged, have been awake since about 5am) milling around the galleries, getting their connoisseurial eye 'honed in' on whatever artist they're hoping to scoop up at the sales. It's a good chance to see what the competition is interested in...
