George Caleb Bingham, American, 1811–1879. The Jolly Flatboatmen. Oil on canvas, 38 1/8 × 48 1/2 in. (96.8 × 123.2 cm). National Gallery of Art, Washington. Patrons’ Permanent Fund.
Summer is a grand time to visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Despite the crowds it draws it never gets all filled up (except in the cafeteria at lunchtime), and the temperature is so divinely cool. But don’t be deceived by those aristocratic high ceilings and genteel atmosphere of unconcern: the museum is nevertheless packing them in. Read More