If you’re feeling weary and worn down by the relentless flood of bad news, take a moment to escape into the pages of All the Beauty In The World. In this autobiographical debut, Patrick Bringley takes readers on a journey through the winding galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. More than just a celebration of art, this book is an inspiring story of finding solace in the face of loss.
Bringley’s life was turned upside down when his brilliant and beloved older brother died of cancer. Unable to cope with the demands of his budding career at the New Yorker, Bringley sought refuge in the only job his broken heart could handle: becoming a museum guard. For 10 years, he stood watch over some of the world’s most treasured masterpieces, absorbing every brushstroke and detail. This quiet, contemplative time deepened his connection to art and gave him space to process life’s sorrows.
The result is a work of rare intimacy. Bringley presents art through a powerfully subjective lens. In his words, each artwork becomes as present, alive and comforting as a conversation with a friend.
It’s a striking change from the erudite, fact-filled summaries of traditional art history textbooks and gallery catalogues. Bringley speaks equally to seasoned art lovers and those who have never set foot in a museum. His book is a poignant art history of the heart. ■
All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley is in stores now
OTHER ART BOOK REVIEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
- Bookmark: New Book about Bertram Brooker
- The Role of Textiles in Relation to Art
- The Quest for the Meaning of Art
- Quick Pick - J.E.H. MacDonald: Up Close
- Mary Pratt: A Love Affair with Vision
- The Role of Textiles in Relation to Art
- Surreal Spaces: The Art and Life of Leonora Carrington
- Early Days: Indigenous Art from the McMichael
- Bianca Bosker: The Quest for the Meaning of Art
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