--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Metropolitan Museum of Art some time…" description: "\"The Metropolitan Museum of Art some time ago held a display of contemporary art at which $52,000 was awarded to American sculptors, painters, and artis..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88f/james-keller-18902_art_the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-some-time_106164.jpg" --- # The Metropolitan Museum of Art some time ago held a… ![“The Metropolitan Museum of Art some time ago held a display of contemporary art at which $52,000 was awarded to American sculptors, painters, and artists in allied fields. The award for the best painting went to the canvas of an Illinois artist. It was described as "a macabre, detailed work…” quote by James Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88f/james-keller-18902_art_the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-some-time_106164.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88f/james-keller-18902_art_the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-some-time_106164.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88f/james-keller-18902_art_the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-some-time_106164.jpg) > “The Metropolitan Museum of Art some time ago held a display of contemporary art at which $52,000 was awarded to American sculptors, painters, and artists in allied fields. The award for the best painting went to the canvas of an Illinois artist. It was described as "a macabre, detailed work showing a closed door bearing a funeral wreath." Equally striking was the work's title: "That which I should have done, I did not do."” [James Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-keller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Describes a macabre painting titled to reflect regret and inaction, prompting contemplation of missed opportunities. **In simple terms:** Artwork evokes regret over undone deeds. Key Takeaway Unrealized actions haunt the mind. Themes art regret mortality reflection Mood somber reflective Type visual philosophical When to use this quote - museum visits - art therapy sessions - personal journaling about missed chances Key Concepts existential angst theology of inaction Practical Applications - use art to explore personal regrets - encourage proactive decision‑making Questions to Reflect On - What does the closed door symbolize? - How can we turn regret into future action? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Canvas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canvas/) [Contemporary art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemporary-art/) [Funeral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funeral/) [Illinois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illinois/) [Macabre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/macabre/) [Metropolitan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/metropolitan/) [Museums](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/museums/) [Painter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painter/) [Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting/) [Sculptors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sculptors/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Wreaths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wreaths/) ## Related quotes > [The Metropolitan Museum of Art is unsurpassed at presenting more than 50 centuries of work. 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It's right, but I'm not too sure about the arts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-gash/the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-claims-to-be-the-largest-in-the/) [Jonathan Gash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-gash/) > [The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a house of artistic and intellectual prostitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-c-barnes/the-philadelphia-museum-of-art-is-a-house-of-artistic-and/) [Albert C. Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-c-barnes/) > [“Puente levadizo y dama con sombrilla, MAYO DE 1888, TINTA Y TIZA SOBRE PAPEL, 60 X 31,9 CM © Los Angeles County Museum of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-naifeh/puente-levadizo-y-dama-con-sombrilla-mayo-de-1888-tinta-y-tiza-sobre/) Steven Naifeh > [They are works of art that can be considered works of art but don't have to be in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-heizer/they-are-works-of-art-that-can-be-considered-works-of-art-but-don-t/) [Michael Heizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-heizer/) > [I remember the first time I went to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and saw a Kerry James Marshall painting with black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kehinde-wiley/i-remember-the-first-time-i-went-to-the-los-angeles-county-museum-of/) [Kehinde Wiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kehinde-wiley/) ## More by James Keller > [I think we'll have a good potato crop this year," a newspaper editor told his housekeeper one morning. 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Not being familiar with the names of the various stops,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-keller/some-time-ago-i-took-a-trip-on-the-hudson-and-manhattan-transit/) [James Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-keller/) > [What this country needs is more people to inspire others with confidence, and fewer people to discourage any initiative in the right direction more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-keller/what-this-country-needs-is-more-people-to-inspire-others-with/) [James Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-keller/) > [Hope regards problems, small or large, as opportunities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-keller/hope-regards-problems-small-or-large-as-opportunities/) [James Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-keller/) > [A high-school girl, seated next to a famous astronomer at a dinner party, struck up a conversation with him by asking: "What do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-keller/a-high-school-girl-seated-next-to-a-famous-astronomer-at-a-dinner/) [James Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-keller/) > [My center is giving way, my right is pushed back, my left is wavering. The situation is excellent. I shall attack!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-keller/my-center-is-giving-way-my-right-is-pushed-back-my-left-is-wavering/) [James Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-keller/) > [During a heavy storm at sea a nervous woman passenger on a large liner went to the captain, seeking reassurance. 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You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. 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