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I was born in Russia and grew up in France, and now live in New York. I studied at the Beaux-Arts in Normandy, where I initially focused on contemporary art. Over time, my interests shifted toward the classical world, especially Greek and Roman antiquity and the tradition of the Old Masters.
I know the Metropolitan Museum of Art very well and enjoy sharing it with friends and acquaintances through informal tours that I offer freely. For me, the museum is a place where history, beauty, and deeper meaning can still be encountered in person.
Below is my Instagram, which is dedicated to this subject.
Lesser-Known Ways to Experience the Met
The museum is too vast to take in all at once. Having visited it more than a hundred times, if not more, I have learned that the best way to experience it is gradually. Over time I have come across a few lesser-known ways to engage with the museum that many visitors overlook.
Free Tours
One of these is the museum’s free tours. They offer a thoughtful introduction to different parts of the collection and are a great way to encounter works you might otherwise pass by. Led by volunteer guides trained by the MET, the tours provide context and connections that can change the way you look at a gallery or a single work of art.
A few practical tips make the experience even more rewarding: check the tour schedule a day or so in advance, arrive on time, and treat it as part of your overall visit rather than something to rush through. Preparation pays off, because the museum can easily feel overwhelming, and it’s easy to get stressed trying to “do it all” in one visit. A calm, structured approach will help you truly enjoy the art and absorb the details that make an art work special.
The Observant Eye
The Observant Eye is an art education program open to visitors. It is not widely known and mostly attended by New Yorkers “in the know.”
I have attended several sessions over the years and learned a great deal from trained educators, many of whom are experts in their fields. This one-hour program encourages slow looking and discussion, revealing details and context that are easy to miss on your own.
Check the session schedule in advance and plan your visit so you can attend without rushing. You can also reach out to me for a calendar link to coordinate a visit. Sessions are infrequent, so this works best for someone based in New York City.
