Art Appreciation   

How did this young man, born and raised in the confined area of the Pale in the Baltic area of Russia, become such a citizen of the world? Marc Chagall (1887–1985) was a seminal Russian-French artist known for his vibrant, dreamlike paintings that blended modernism with Eastern European Jewish folklore. His works tend towards the whimsical, with a deeply personal style characterized by floating figures, vibrant colors, and nostalgic village scenes, and are known, admired, and loved by many. Who influenced him and what experiences shaped his worldview? We will discuss these themes and delight in his art, including his stained glass windows at the nearby Union Church of Pocantico Hills.

Modernism developed amid great political, social, economic, and technological change, and the genre of portraiture expanded alongside it to grapple with these challenges. The selections of works in The Face of Life: Modern Portraits at The Met communicate the lived experiences of their subjects in myriad ways, whether or not a figure is even depicted. Less focused on commemoration or conveying power, these portraits satisfy the human need to communicate with a viewer, represent experience, and document a moment of life. Join Page Knox for a discussion of the nearly 80 works in the exhibition by artists such as Matisse, Alice Neel, Picasso and more. The show also offers an opportunity to see Modern and Contemporary works from the Met's collection while the permanent galleries are being reimagined in the new Oscar L. Tang and H.M Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing, as well as a chance to see recent acquisitions by artists such as Wifredo Lam, Francis Picabia, and Laura Wheeler Waring.

In 2025-26, a landmark retrospective exhibition spanning across two venues, the Strozzi Palace and the Convent-Museum of San Marco in Florence, celebrated the work of Fra Angelico, in the city and the very convent where he lived and painted. Touted by the New York Times as “The Miracle of Faith Made Visible,” the exhibition offered a rare chance to experience the magical work of this reclusive artist-friar. We will have a comparative experience and exploration of his work in the company of some of his contemporaries.

For more than 125 years, movies have shaped the way we dream, remember, argue, laugh, love, and see the world. This 6-week series offers a sweeping, entertaining, and accessible journey through the history of film, exploring the first half of cinema's remarkable story—from the pioneering silent films of the late 1800s through the groundbreaking movies and cultural shifts of the mid-20th century. (A second 6-week series, offered in the winter term, will continue the journey from the 1960s to the streaming age of the 2020s.)

Each week will explore a different era in movie history, and in Part 1 this fall, we will cover the birth of the motion picture, the rise of Hollywood, the glamour of the silent era, the arrival of sound, the golden age of the studio system, film noir, and postwar cinema. Along the way, we will look at legendary stars, groundbreaking directors, unforgettable scenes, major technological shifts, and the cultural moments that made each decade distinct through clips and class discussions.

Whether you are a lifelong film lover or simply curious about how cinema became cinema, this series will give you a richer understanding of the movies you already love and introduce you to many more worth discovering.

For a look at the weekly lecture topics, please click here.

Get backstage access to the world-renowned organizations that call this 16.3-acre campus home, and learn more about the history of Lincoln Center. This 75-minute tour provides a behind-the-scenes perspective of the past and present of Lincoln Center. Participants will learn about Lincoln Center’s history; explore the iconic arts organizations that call Lincoln Center home; and experience our vibrant campus the way only artists and staff do. The tour itinerary will be based on availability and the day’s activities at the Center, and typical stops include:

• New York Philharmonic (David Geffen Hall)
• The Metropolitan Opera (Met Opera House)
• New York City Ballet (David H. Koch Theater)
• Lincoln Center Theater (Vivian Beaumont Theater)
• Chamber Music Society (Alice Tully Hall)
• Film at Lincoln Center (Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center)
• Lincoln Center Campus Public Areas (Josie Robertson Plaza, Damrosch Park, and Hearst Plaza)

Experience the breathtaking beauty of our lavish plantings on this 90-minute tour which will take you to the most stunning flowers and gorgeous plants in the gardens. In the summer, lush foliage will transport you to a world of tranquility.

Throughout this horticulture and historical tour of Untermyer Gardens, you will learn about its rich history and the seasonal beauty of the grounds. We will discuss monumental architecture -- with an emphasis on Samuel Untermyer and his wife Minnie, and their place in early 20th century history -- as well as elements of garden design in general, plants in bloom, and stunning plant combinations.

The tour will also take you through the estate's three owners, emphasizing its world-famous heyday during the Untermyer years, its decline after 1940, and the remarkable restoration efforts that have been ongoing from 2011 to the present day.

So, come join us for an educational and engaging tour that is sure to leave you with a newfound appreciation for this magnificent estate.

Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner helped establish the New York School of painting, more commonly known as Abstract Expressionism, a movement that made postwar America the center of the art world. This fall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art will mount a major retrospective of these two artistic giants, husband and wife, who redefined painting and created a visual vocabulary that had never been seen before. This presentation will provide an understanding of the artists’ individual importance, as well as their place in the broader context of Abstract Expressionism, a manifestation of the United States as an emerging political, economic, and cultural superpower.

Celebrated by a three-venue travelling exhibition in 2025, Caillebotte’s version of Impressionism was a sensation in his day. However, his refusal to exhibit after age 34 and his early death at age 46 contributed to his fading from memory until the late 20th century. By diving into his work, we will also be diving into the then newly emerging modern-urban life, the visual wonders of the newly designed city of Paris, and the already nostalgic views of the countryside.

Discover the life, music, and lasting legacy of the true architect of rock and roll. We will explore how Chuck Berry fused country, blues, and rhythm and blues music to create the definitive sound of a generation. Through vintage performance clips and audio recordings, we will trace his journey from a St. Louis cosmetology student to a global superstar. Learn the stories behind timeless anthems like "Johnny B. Goode" and "Maybellene," analyze his iconic "duckwalk" showmanship, and examine how his innovative guitar riffs shaped the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and everyone who followed.

Have you ever dreamed of experiencing the festive atmosphere of European Christmas markets? Save the airfare! Instead, we invite you to join Nancy as she shares her first-hand knowledge of delightful pre-Christmas traditions in German-speaking countries. Come taste a sampling of traditional Christmas market foods and learn about the artisanal wooden and glass decorations sold at the markets. Practice the German names for these specialties and a few basic German phrases to have in your back pocket if you go to a Christmas market.

No knowledge of German is necessary for this class.

The places we call home reflect who we are in all kinds of ways, from the deeply personal to broader cultural and socio-economic identities. In this presentation, we will explore how artists have depicted these most intimate spaces across historical and cultural contexts from the Roman murals of Pompeii to Vermeer’s sunlit interiors, from the palaces of kings to the tenements of New York City, from Japanese scrolls to contemporary photography. How do depictions of home reveal class status, cultural identity, and gender roles? What is shared and what is kept private? How do we construct and assert who we are within the places we inhabit? Thomas Wolfe said you can’t go home again, but maybe we can try.

Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock met as emerging artists in New York City, marrying in 1945 and remaining entwined personally, artistically, and professionally until Pollock’s untimely death in 1956. While Pollock’s reputation historically eclipsed Krasner’s, both artists are considered central to innovations in modern and contemporary art. Join Page Knox for an exploration of this major show at the MET (opening on October 4, 2026), which reevaluates the relationship and considers the full arc of their careers together.