I had a sneaking suspicion that the Metropolitan Museum of Art wasn’t an ordinary art museum. Yesterday’s monolithic Greek column seemed much too architectural for that. My suspicion was confirmed when I found a series of recreated classical rooms from different periods in history. Despite saying that I don’t typically like museums, I like this place. It features the kind of architectural environments I really love.

The Rococo Revival Parlor is both amazing and hideous. I would probably get a headache if I stayed in there too long. It overloads my minimal, modern sensibilities. However, there is no question that it’s visually stunning, so I decided to lead with this picture.

The style was inspired by the French Rococo of Louis XV, but Americans interpreted it on a grander, more exuberant scale during the Victorian era. This was the ideal for affluent Americans during the 1850s.

By contrast, just ten to fifteen years earlier, the Greek Revival style was in vogue. Architecturally, it’s remarkably different from the over-the-top Rococo Revival style. Notice the strong symmetry, bold geometric moldings, and classical proportions influenced by Greek architecture. However, the furniture either hugs the walls or seems to float in the center. Unlike our modern preference for a central, anchored grouping, the furniture arrangement feels more loosely organized.

Both parlors are extremely elaborate by today’s standards. Which do you prefer?

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