Visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art today, there was an exhibit of the major acquisitions of the retiring curator over 40 years. A mixed bag of paintings, sculpture, photography, etc., juxtaposed somewhat jarringly, a Van Gogh next to a 1960 Diane Arbus photograph next to a 540 B.C. Egyptian stone carving, etc. In the middle of all this was a glass case holding Andre Segovia’s guitar. My first thought was, everything in the hall was created to be looked at, and here’s an instrument a guy was taking to gigs!
In the next room, another glass case holding an Amati violin, c. 1560. Again, it obviously had been well used, but its condition was stunning.
I know there’s strong sentiment that these instruments should be in public use, not museums. Still, I feel some should be protected and preserved, just in case.
Finally, in another exhibit is a Degas, ballet dancers (no surprise) and a DB (big surprise).
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/jpon/ho_29.100.127.htm
I was getting real close to the painting, trying to see whether it had 3 strings or 4. The guards were getting edgy. No word on whether or not Ken Smith has owned it.
