Being far too lazy to choose between photos, I have posted the majority of them to a Facebook album which is publicly visible. But I had a fabulous day out with the Queen of Everything. As I got there a bit earlier than she did I popped over to the Morgan to see Warhol by the Book and have since been filled with ideas about artist books. And saw this fine sculpture at the Polish Embassy around the corner (click to embiggen).

Then I met the fab Stephanie at Grand Central and we headed north to the Neue Galerie to see the Munch & Expressionism exhibit. We panicked a bit when we saw there was a line but it wasn’t that bad, mostly security (for valid reasons). When I saw all the woodcuts, I realised why Stephanie had been so excited to see this show. Great stuff, lots of Schiele — not a single female artist, alas. And as an elderly viewer noted, ‘Not a happy face to be seen’ anywhere. There’s also the room of Klimts and wow, having mostly seen the portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer reprinted I was astonished at its beauty. So much texture.

We had a late lunch at the New Amity Restaurant because ‘as you know, Amity means friendship’ and it lived up to its name and was quite wonderful.

Then because the afternoon was slipping away all too fast we took a cab around the park to the Folk Art Museum (and got a Muslim woman driver which pleased us) for the Mystery and Benevolence exhibit featuring folk art from the Odd Fellows and Masons.

Wow, just wow. I didn’t expect it to be quite so interesting. Maybe because I’m a sucker for secret societies. Maybe it was the more folksy touch to the art, rather than the very grand versions that you can see in the London museum. If you go to the album, you’ll see most of the pictures I took were there. Fascinating! A newish museum and a really friendly staff there — if you go be sure to check out the shop. Lots of tempting things there.

Despite the predicted rain there was never more than a sprinkle or two. We enjoyed a wander through the park and then had a round of drinks because we were two dames in the city and why not? Then it was time to hop our trains back. Busy day, but fun and great company.