Duncan Grant (1885-1978). The Coffee Pot. Ca. 1916. Oil on canvas, 24 x 20 in. (61 x 50.8 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Purchase, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Petrie Gift, 1981 (1981.197)
What is the one thing every library patron wishes they could have when visiting their favorite art research library? One word: coffee. Throughout history, books and coffee have been a match made in heaven. Some would say (I would say) that to separate books and coffee and to ask a scholar to conduct their research without the appropriate amount of caffeine would be too much to ask. Yet, that is what we do at Watson Library, and for a very good reason: to protect our collection of over one million books for generations of future researchers. (You can watch our wonderful video on best practices in book handling here.)
What is the next best thing? While you may not be able to consume your coffee when deep in your research at Watson Library, you can still keep it close in another way: by exploring coffee throughout The Met. Whether it is through objects on display in the galleries, or in Watson Library's vast collection, you can get your caffeine fix.
I recommend starting your coffee kick by searching The Met Collection Online. This online database includes all accessioned Met objects and allows you to search in a number of ways, including by keyword, subject, artist, and accession number.
The Morning Coffee. ca. 1755. Höchst Manufactory (German, 1746–1796). Hard-paste porcelain, H. 6-1/8 in. (15.6 cm.) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, Anita M. Linzee Bequest, 1940 (40.169.4)
One example of a coffee-related object is The Morning Coffee. This ceramic was manufactured at the Höchst Manufactory, Germany, ca 1750–53. I recognize the expression on the subject’s face as my own after my first sip of morning coffee.
One of my favorite coffee related artworks is Duncan Grant's The Coffee Pot (at top of post). You can find resources to learn more about this artist by visiting Watson Library's online catalogue, Watsonline.
R. Von Hünersdorff and Holger G. Hasenkamp, Coffee: A Bibliography: A Guide to the Literature on Coffee (London: Hünersdorff, 2002). I promise no books were harmed for this photograph!
Watson Library has a number of books to help you get your coffee fix. My recommendation would be to start with this massive and delicious two volume set, Coffee: A Bibliography: A Guide to the Literature on Coffee. This thorough and impressive bibliography will get you started on your coffee research and may even inspire you to perfect your coffee making technique.
Edward Bramah, Coffeepots and Coffee Makers (Wigston, Leister [England]: Magna Books, 1990)
Almost as important as the coffee you consume, is the pot you make it in. There are a number of books dedicated to coffee pots and makers from around the world. This book in particular is a favorite, Coffeepots and Coffee Makers.
Louise Harpman, Scott Specht, Scott Specht, and Alex Kalman, Coffee Lids: ¹peel, ²pinch, ³pucker, ⁴puncture (New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2018)
While many of us are trying to encourage reusable coffee cups, many cafes still offer disposable cups with a variety of lids. After a few coffee spilling disasters myself (there have been more than a few mornings in which I arrived at work already covered with coffee), I always thought I could design the perfect coffee lid. Coffee Lids: ¹peel, ²pinch, ³pucker, ⁴puncture is a field guide that offers a comprehensive and intriguing look at a collection of coffee lids over the years and from all over the world.
Louise Harpman, Scott Specht, Scott Specht, and Alex Kalman, Coffee Lids: ¹peel, ²pinch, ³pucker, ⁴puncture (New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2018)
Manfred Hamm, George Mikes, and Jürgen Boettcher, Coffee Houses of Europe (New York: Thames and Hudson, 1983)
Explore the book Coffee Houses of Europe to experience the cafe culture that is a prevalent and part of the daily routine throughout Europe.
Carl C. Dauterman and Ross E. Taggart, Antique English Coffee Pots: Proctor and Gamble Presents the Folger's Coffee Collection (Place of publication not identified: publisher not identified, 1970)
Envy some fantastic coffee serving ware you may have seen on Pinterest or Etsy? Nothing compares to the ones found in this book of Antique English Coffee Pots from the Folger's (yes, that Folger) Collection.
Linda Gillies, Anita Muller, and Pamela Patterson, A Culinary Collection: Recipes from Members of the Board of Trustees and Staff of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1973)
Want an excuse to prepare an epic cup of coffee at home? Need some menu inspiration? What about this Sunday Dinner Menu from former Museum Director James Rorimer. You can find this menu and related recipes in A Culinary Collection from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, found in Watson Library Digital Collections. This menu suggests the perfect complement to a meal: New Orleans Coffee, Turkish Style.
A.B. Marshall and Barbara K. Wheaton, Victorian Ices & Ice Cream: 117 Delicious and Unusual Recipes Updated for the Modern Kitchen: Original Recipes from the Book of Ices by A.b. Marshall, London, 1885 (New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1984)
Or why not go all in and try your hand at making this decadent coffee mousse from Victorian Ices & Ice Creams: 117 Delicious and Unusual Recipes Updated for the Modern Kitchen? Also available via Watson Library Digital Collections.
A selection of the author's personal collection of coffeemakers and receptacles, which is always expanding
Knowing that I can fulfill my coffee cravings by accessing the research resources at Watson Library will always bring me some joy and hold me over until my next shot of espresso.
Enjoy an Instragram-worthy coffee (or three) at The Met's Balcony Lounge.
