Lost as in Tokyo

Lost as in Tokyo

Deep discussion in the Salle Vermeer. They are seated on a bench in front of The Astronomer (Richelieu, room 837). On one side, a young man, a young woman, and an older lady, perhaps the mother of one or both; on the other side, a middle-aged man. They speak and speak and speak while handling their unfolded museum maps. The middle-aged man gives them directions to the other end of the museum. He seems to know, or in any case he acts like it. He turns his map to show them exactly where they are and where they want to go, toward the Sully wing, apparently. It reminds me of the endless discussions at the subway exits in Tokyo, a city so complicated that even the Tokyoites constantly ask for directions. But it is even more difficult to get your bearings in the Louvre than it is in Tokyo. The middle-aged man goes on his way after many arigatos. The young man falls into contemplation of The Astronomer. I wonder if they would have an easier time with the celestial globe and the astronomy manual on the scholar’s desk than with the map of the Louvre. Later I will see them again in the Rembrandt room (Richelieu, room 844), exactly the opposite direction to where the man sent them.