Hello friends I do love to share my visits to The Metropolitan Museum of Art I was there with my sister to view Sargent & Paris during the members preview.

Our first stop was The Charles Engelhard Court—South End in the American Wing to view the Tiffany Garden Landscape Widows.

Before entering European Paintings on the second floor we stopped at Gallery 704 and I love anything George Washington - so I snapped this image.

I loved the dress in this painting by Elisabeth Louise Vigee La Brun entitled: Comtesse de la Chatre 1789 in Gallery 632

We enjoyed a delightful lunch in the Balcony Lounge before heading to view the amazing Sargent & Paris.

This amazing exhibit examines the career of painter John Singer Sargent (1856–1925). He arrived in Paris in 1874 at age 18 through to his painting of the scandalous Madame X in the mid 1880’s. During this time Sargent cemented his career as an accomplished portraitist. He also experimented with different styles of painting.

Self Portrait, 1886 age 30

This painting In the Luxembourg Gardens has a luminescence - the water sparkles. Both my sister and I were smitten and made sure we picked up notes cards with this image at the end of the exhibit.

This lady is: Madame Ramone Subercaseaux and every detail is magic!

The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit draws you in by the sheer size.

This work A Gust of Wind has an other worldly quality. Sargent was so talented he could paint in a multitude of styles. This reminded both my sister and I of Monet.

This video installation showing what is was like for Sargent to exhibit in the Paris Salon - Art hung floor to ceiling regardless of the subject. This was really cool - the pictures populate, disappear and finally show in full color.

An entire room is dedicated to Madame X - filled with paintings, photographs, and studies/sketches of young socialite Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau. The detail on the right shows the fallen shoulder strap which was the original design. The painting itself was scandalous; so much exposed skin. This work was not a commission. She intrigued him. Her mother asked Sargent to please repaint the strap. Sargent eventually did repaint the strap and he kept the painting for thirty-two years.

From the Met: On January 8, 1916, John Singer Sargent (1856–1925) offered to sell his masterpiece Madame X to the Met. Writing from his home in London to his longtime friend and Met Director Edward "Ned" Robinson, Sargent explained, "my portrait of Mme. Gautreau is now . . . at the San Francisco exhibition, and now that it is in America I rather feel inclined to let it stay there if a Museum should want it. I suppose it is the best thing I have done. I would let the Metropolitan Museum have it for £1,000."

A Photographic Study.

Madame Gautreau Drinking a Toast, 1882-1883. I knew this work was familiar - we viewed it last summer in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau

Claude Monet was a great friend and here you see he and his future wife Alice in Claude Monet Painting by the Edge of a Wood

This is of artist Ernest-Ange Duez. I knew I’d viewed the work before because it’s part of the permanent collection of the Montclair Art Museum.

I always try and grab an image overlooking the Petrie Court.

The weather was glorious on our way to our next stop.

We headed to Bemelmans Bar. Nothing better than a Pisco Sour and live music surrounded by wonderful artwork to close our our fabulous day in the City.

The Met had this book which I already own Sargent The Masterworks in the gift shop of the exhibit. It’s a wonderful book filled with tons facts and amazing images. I highly recommend. It’s a coffee table book and more!

I’ve listed past articles about the Met below. Til next time friends be well and I’ll see you on Instagram!

Although it’s not warm yet it is spring and it’s that time of year again. Time to sort all the things and give them a good cleaning. Here are my cleaning supplies and my checklist. Happy Cleaning!

SPRING CLEANING CHECK LIST

Rooms: Dust rag, swiffer, cleaning polish, vinegar, vacuum.
Kitchen: vinegar, baking soda, bar keepers friend, stainless steel polish, granite polish and rubbing alcohol.
Bath: vinegar, baking soda, bar keepers friend, seventh generation spray.

Air-pods or speaker with music, podcast or audio book to Enjoy! Open windows.

Rooms

Clean shelves by removing all items/books dusting each and shelf.
Clean framed artwork/photos - removing from wall if possible. Spray solution on cleaning cloth not directly onto glass.
Dust air vents.
Remove draperies/curtains. Shake out/air outside or clean professionally.
Clean window sills and baseboards.
Wash windows.
Dust ceiling light fixtures, lamps and lampshades. Carefully vacuum lampshades with hand-held attachment. A lint brush can also be used. Remove from lamp for cleaning.
Move furniture to vacuum carpets. Use attachments to vacuum under beds. Shake out Area Rugs - preferably outside.
Clean floors with vacuum hand-held attachment. For tile I recommend vinegar. for hardwood floors I use liquid sparingly. Since we are shoe free our floors are not that dirty, so I use a damp with water towel on my hands and knees.
Organize your pantry reevaluate food items.
Air out pillows.
Swap-out heavy winter bedding. Wash or clean professionally and store. Remove mattress pad and launder, flip mattress if applicable.
Kitchen
Clean the kitchen from the top starting with light fixtures.
Clean cabinets tops or open ledge areas.
Dust air vents.
Remove draperies/curtains. Shake out/air outside or clean professionally.
Clean window sills and baseboards.
Wash windows.
Wipe down cabinets.
Wash small counter or stove items: Fruit Bowls, Teapots.
Polish appliances, faucet and sink.
Clean floors with vacuum hand-held attachment. For tile I recommend vinegar. for hardwood floors I use liquid sparingly. Since we are shoe free our floors are not that dirty, so I use a damp with water towel on my hands and knees- of course if this is your kitchen floor you may have spills you need to address. i caution the use of spray-jet cleaners or steamers. You can harm them with too much liquid.
Remove everything from the refrigerator and clean interior.
Organize pantry reevaluate food items.
Clean under the kitchen sink.
Clean and sanitize garbage and recycling receptacles.
Bath
Clean the Bath from the top starting with light fixtures.
Dust air vents.
Remove draperies/curtains. Shake out/air outside or clean professionally.
Clean window sills and baseboards.
Wash windows.
Wipe down the shower walls.
Wash shower curtain. Wipe curtain rod. replace shower liner if needed.
Wipe down cabinet.
Polish faucet and sink.
Clean floors with vacuum hand-held attachment. For tile I recommend vinegar.
Clean and sanitize garbage can.
Clean toothbrush holder.
Wipe down soap dispenser
Wipe down towel bars.
Post cleaning
Organize linen closet reevaluate items - especially towels.
Remove clutter to a central location. Create a donate pile. Get family involved - spring cleaning/decluttering is not a solo endeavor. Put items on Facebook - a few options: local Curb Alert/Buy Nothing Page, Freecycle or local Selling page. Take to Consignment, Goodwill or Swap.
Clean your vacuum and filter. Change bag if there is one.
Replace batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
Replace fire extinguishers if needed.
Update first aid kits.
Seasonal Clothing
If you swap out clothing seasonally tackle this next. Pull winter wardrobe from closets/cupboards/dressers. Review what should be washed or professionally cleaned before it is stored. Moths attack dirty items. Also review all clothing and donate what you will not use. If you never wore last winter chances are you will not next year and its usefulness is over.
As you place your lighter wardrobe in its home for the season take the time to straighten and organize. Use the upright folding methods (makes it a breeze to find a particular shirt) same style of hangers, add bins in closets for ease of locating items such as: bathing suits, cover-ups, pj’s, small purses/wallets. In my sons closet we utilize bins and also large tote bags for bathing suits.

The history of spring cleaning

What is spring cleaning?

Spring cleaning is the annual tradition of deep cleaning your home from top to bottom. This includes areas you do not clean on a regular basis, such as cleaning beneath carpets, furniture, the tops of bookshelves, removing draperies and having them cleaned. This might also include washing and swapping out heavier bed linens and coverlets for lighter versions for the warmer weather. This time of year is also when people switch out their heavy winter wardrobe for lighter clothing.

Where does it come from?

During the 1800s, people would clean each room to rid their homes of dust and soot that had built up during winter. A thorough cleaning meant opening windows and letting in fresh air, something that could happen only in the warmer months.

This ritual has roots in a number of religions and cultures:

The Iranian festival of Nowruz, also known as Persian New Year, happens on the first day of spring. It’s celebrated by “khooneh tekouni” or “shaking the house” when people spend time cleaning their homes.
In Jewish custom, people clean their homes in preparation for Passover, which happens in springtime. It began as a way of removing any yeast bread or chametz crumbs from the home.
The Catholic Church cleans the altar after Holy Thursday mass prior to the Easter Vigil.
The Greek Orthodox Church spring clean on the first day of Lent, known as Clean Monday.

Is spring cleaning in our human nature?

Spring cleaning has a lot to do with human biology. During the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere your brain produces less melatonin because of lack of sunlight and more darkness. We simply may not have the energy to clean. When the days grow longer and the weather warms up - we feel energized to tackle this job.

Why should you do it?

There are several advantages to deep cleaning - not just aesthetically, it can also provide health benefits.

Supports your immune system – indoor pollution - spring cleaning gets rid of allergy triggers, such as dust, mold, germs and pet danger.
Increases your productivity – when we feel good about our surroundings, we are more productive. Cleaning and decluttering can lead to greater work output.
Reduces your stress levels – for many cleaning is a happy task. The sense of a refreshed environment brings a sense of accomplishment. Taking action to remove excess items from your home can provide not only joy but enables calm.

“To spring clean means to clean up dirt from your ceiling all the way to your floor.”

Til next time friends be well and happy cleaning - and I sincerely mean that. I love to clean it makes me feel accomplished and seeing the results a nice clean organized space is terrific.