Shady Ladies of the New York City Metropolitan Museum

Courtesans, royal mistresses, and scandalous women of every sort. The walls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art are lined with them, from the ancient Greek 'hetaerae' to Sargent's Madame X and beyond. These sexy women — often also intelligent, educated, wealthy, or even powerful — were key members of the political and cultural elites of their time. They fascinated patrons and artists alike, from Praxiteles to Titian to Manet. But who were they? What were their stories? To find out, explore the lives and loves that lie behind the paintings.
On this 2-hour walking tour, an art historian guide will provide an orientation into the vast museum while showing an entirely new, intriguing side of art. Learn about the ancient Greek hetaira, the Japanese oiran, and the cortigiane of the Italian Renaissance; representations of Venus and their relationship to ladies of the night; royal mistresses in France and England and their titled descendants; the demimondaines of 19th century Paris and their importance in art and opera; and sex and art scandals of 19th century America.