For as long as I can recall, one of the first signs of the upcoming Holiday Season is the arrival of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Museum Store Holiday Preview catalog, featuring their gift cards, ornaments, and calendars, most of which come from images within their vast collection. One of the oldest museums in the United States, it was also one of the first museums in which to take advantage of their own collection to market and share their images. In this special holiday lecture, we will look at the stories behind a few of the cards in the museum collection. Ranging from a variety of themes including Classic Religious Art, Medieval and Illuminated Manuscripts, Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Masterpieces, Asian Art and American Art, the works chosen from the collection for Holiday Cards will give a brief overview of the history of art and the Met's collection.

This lecture is part of the FABulous Fall Lecture Series.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people ages 50 and older, seeking intellectual stimulation through university-level courses — without the pressure of grades — for the sake of learning and social engagement.