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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
A relatively short book that I assumed would take me maybe a day or two to read. However, after reading the first chapter, I took my time. This book demands a slowness and stillness, a moment to hear and reflect.
His love of the art, the art world, the guests are abundant and shines through. He took such meticulous care in writing about these pieces, and you can feel yourself looking at them through his eyes. I particularly enjoyed how he fleshed out visitors and guests.
There is something to be said about art and it slowly bringing you back to life, whether you realize it or not. We can see that journey for Patrick here.
I want to really call out a paragraph from the last chapter, really it’s the last few lines, of the book. A reminder for us all: “you’re qualified to weigh in on the biggest questions artworks raise. So under the cover of no one hearing your thoughts, think brave thoughts, searching thoughts, painful thoughts, and maybe foolish thoughts, not to arrive at right answers but to better understand the human mind and heart as you put both to use.”
His love of the art, the art world, the guests are abundant and shines through. He took such meticulous care in writing about these pieces, and you can feel yourself looking at them through his eyes. I particularly enjoyed how he fleshed out visitors and guests.
There is something to be said about art and it slowly bringing you back to life, whether you realize it or not. We can see that journey for Patrick here.
I want to really call out a paragraph from the last chapter, really it’s the last few lines, of the book. A reminder for us all: “you’re qualified to weigh in on the biggest questions artworks raise. So under the cover of no one hearing your thoughts, think brave thoughts, searching thoughts, painful thoughts, and maybe foolish thoughts, not to arrive at right answers but to better understand the human mind and heart as you put both to use.”
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
I want to buy 100 copies of this book and just hand it out on the street to everyone I see. I want to become wealthy enough that when I die I can leave a bunch of money to The Met with the stipulation that it must be used to give every visitor a copy of this book.
This book is, on the surface, a memoir of a security guard at The Met. In reality, it is a beautiful, thoughtful, poetic exploration of what "art" even is, and how we engage with it. It's a discussion about grief and loss. It's a celebration of friendships big and small. It is life wrapped up in 180 perfect pages.
Prior to reading this book, I really liked visiting art museums, primarily because I enjoyed seeing a difficult thing done well. In the same way that I enjoy watching bike races. This book opens your eyes to the humans that make this art. Bringley gently holds your hand and walks you into the workshop of an ancient Greek potter, and introduces you to someone who paints scenes on their amphorae that are so much better than they have any right to be. He introduces you to a painter in the time of the black death for whom images of any kind are a scarcity, and who paints Christ as a tool to become closer to a god that must seem so far away.
Everything about this book completely blew me off my feet. I was lucky enough to be able to take a tour of The Met led by Mr. Bringley, and he is as eloquent in person as he is on the page. I strongly recommend both reading this book, and trying to take the tour if you are in NY. 5/5
This book is, on the surface, a memoir of a security guard at The Met. In reality, it is a beautiful, thoughtful, poetic exploration of what "art" even is, and how we engage with it. It's a discussion about grief and loss. It's a celebration of friendships big and small. It is life wrapped up in 180 perfect pages.
Prior to reading this book, I really liked visiting art museums, primarily because I enjoyed seeing a difficult thing done well. In the same way that I enjoy watching bike races. This book opens your eyes to the humans that make this art. Bringley gently holds your hand and walks you into the workshop of an ancient Greek potter, and introduces you to someone who paints scenes on their amphorae that are so much better than they have any right to be. He introduces you to a painter in the time of the black death for whom images of any kind are a scarcity, and who paints Christ as a tool to become closer to a god that must seem so far away.
Everything about this book completely blew me off my feet. I was lucky enough to be able to take a tour of The Met led by Mr. Bringley, and he is as eloquent in person as he is on the page. I strongly recommend both reading this book, and trying to take the tour if you are in NY. 5/5
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
This is such a unique, beautiful book. I felt like I was THERE strolling through, meditating in stillness on great works of art. Toward the end he got into stories about the artists, including Michelangelo, Alabama quilt makers and Van Gogh. I wish I had gone to the Met instead of the Museum of Modern Art on my NYC visit! Up in Maine we are in the research stages of extending a train that goes to Boston -- I have a bucket list dream now of continuing all the way down to New York and spending three days or so in this museum. I am really impressed with how effortlessly the author transported me there. As an artist I am also inspired to spend all day tomorrow painting and taking his advice on cultivating an art-loving mindset!
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced