When Giacometti beckons I respond.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a visually stunning exhibit of Alberto Giacometti sculptures displayed strategically amongst the remarkable Temple of Dendur.

I entered the  room breathless from both the image and August humidity.

This was my second attempt last week to visit the exhibit.

I was out the door early to be at the museum for the 10am opening. It was 87 degrees and humid and when I arrived I was delighted to see no line. Hallelujah, I could enter the serene coolness of the awe inspiring museum.

Hello…The MET is closed on Wednesdays that is why there was no line.

Rewind the tape. I headed out on Thursday at the same time under the same weather conditions to walk across Central Park from the west to the east side of the city.

The redo was worth it.

I strolled around and around and took in the impressively intimate showing surrounded by the 2000 year old temple which was gifted to the MET by Egypt in the 1970s to save it from flooding.

Seventeen of the Swiss sculptor’s bronze and plaster sculptures are now on display alongside the Roman-Egyptian structure in the sun-drenched gallery.

Ancient Egypt was a major inspiration for Giacometti’s sculptures of the mid-20th century.

Giacometti first encountered Egyptian art as a teenager in Italy, and after moving to Paris at age 20, spent considerable time in the Egyptian galleries at the Louvre, devouring books on the subject.

I have always adored Giacometti. My mother, Queen E., was inspired by him as is reflected in her impressive papier-mache sculptures.

I felt her in the room with me.

Take the tour:

If you can get to the MET, take in the exhibit as it closes on September 8th.