The Poet of the Information Desk

Robyn Schiff returns to The Met to read from her poem, “Information Desk: An Epic” in which she recounts what it was like to work at the Museum while establishing herself as a young writer. “Though I haven’t worked inside the Information Desk now for more than twenty years,” she writes, “the experience has so asserted itself into my art that I regard the Information Desk as my private writing desk; I am always seated there.” Watch the video: Artworks mentioned: Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) (Dutch, Leiden 1606–1669). “Self Portrait,” 1660. Oil on canvas, 31 5/8 x 26 1/2 in. (80.3 x 67.3 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913 () Learn more: Follower of Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) (Dutch, third quarter 17th century). “Portrait of a Man” (“The Auctioneer”) 1658–62. Oil on canvas, 42 3/4 x 34 in. (108.6 x 86.4 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913 () Learn more: Statue of Dionysos leaning on a female figure (“Hope Dionysos”), 27 BCE–68 CE. Roman. Marble, H. 82 3/4 in. (210.2 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, gift of The Frederick W. Richmond Foundation, Judy and Michael Steinhardt, and Mr. and Mrs. A. Alfred Taubman, 1990. () Learn more: Marble statue of a seated muse, 1st or 2nd century CE. Marble, Pentelic, H. as restored 66 in. (167.7 cm.) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, gift of Mrs. Frederick F. Thompson, 1903 () Learn more: Archival credits: Poems from INFORMATION DESK by Robyn Schiff, published by Penguin Books, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. Copyright © 2023 by Robyn Schiff. Subscribe for new content from The Met: #TheMet #Art #TheMetropolitanMuseumofArt #Museum © 2023 The Metropolitan Museum of Art