Brooklyn Museum

Tucked behind the central library, the Brooklyn Museum has long gone under my radar. Out of sight, out of mind. One recent morning I sought to remedy this situation. The timing turned out to be ideal, as there was a minimal of crowd in the early hours as I navigated the five stories of African masks, Egyptian carvings, Asian ceramics, European paintings, and American period interiors. Many of the paintings in the third floor gallery are framed behind glass, which means the experience of viewing them mostly consists of hunting for an angle that avoids as much light glare as possible. Aside from that, the museum was an agreeable detour from the usual bustling Manhattan fare.


The glass Rubin Pavilion was added in 2004, which makes the museum look like a flying saucer crashlanded in its lobby.




"Sweet Funk—An Introspective" by Sanford Biggers.


The piano is functional.




"Fallen Bierstadt" (2007) by Valerie Hegarty






An art deco bicycle from the retro-future.


Watch your step.


The Beaux-Arts Court, restored in 2007.