The Met Museum's Copyist Program provides artists with the opportunity to develop their own interpretation of an artwork through intimate study in the Museum's galleries. This program has been in place since 1872, allowing copyists to create reinterpretations of original artworks in The Met collection. Artist Jas Knight is a participant in the program and has been copying Diego Velázquez's Juan de Pareja. Knight believes that copying is an essential exercise for artists, as it allows them to truly see and understand a painting. He notes that by copying a painting, he is literally interacting with the brain of the original artist, in this case Velázquez. This interaction with the past is a powerful aspect of art, as it allows viewers to connect with the time and place in which the artwork was created. Art can be seen as a time machine, transporting viewers back in time to the moment when the artwork was produced. Standing before a painting, sculpture, or other artwork can evoke a sense of connection to the past, allowing viewers to consider the cultural, political, and economic context in which it was created. The Copyist Program and artists like Knight help to facilitate this connection, allowing viewers to engage with the past in a meaningful way. By comparing Knight's copy of Velázquez's Juan de Pareja with the original, viewers can gain a deeper understanding of the artistic process and the ways in which art can transcend time.