The Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection is one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of art and artifacts. It spans more than 5,000 years of human history and culture, from ancient Egypt to modern times. The collection includes over two million works of art, from paintings and sculpture to textiles, costumes, decorative arts, photographs, and more. The museum also holds a wide variety of educational and public programs, ranging from lectures and workshops to concerts and films.
History
The Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded in 1870 by a group of American businessmen, including John Taylor Johnston and Cornelius Vanderbilt. It was originally located in the former Douglas Mansion on Fifth Avenue and quickly became one of the most popular attractions in New York City. In 1880, the museum moved to its current location on the Upper East Side, where it has remained ever since. The collection has grown steadily over the years, and now includes more than two million works of art.
Collection Highlights
The Metropolitan Museum of Art collection includes a wide range of works from all periods of art history. Some of the most iconic pieces include:
- The Great Hall of the Bulls – a 4,500-year-old fresco from the Hall of Bulls at the Palace of Knossos in Crete
- The Isabella Stewart Gardner Collection – a collection of more than 2,500 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and decorative arts
- The Temple of Dendur – a 15 BC Egyptian temple, given to the museum in 1967 as a gift from the Egyptian government
- The Michelangelo Pietà – a marble sculpture of the Virgin Mary and the dead Christ, carved between 1498 and 1499
Special Exhibitions
In addition to its permanent collection, the Metropolitan Museum of Art also hosts a variety of special exhibitions throughout the year. These exhibitions range from small, focused shows to major retrospectives, and often feature works from the museum’s own collection. Recent exhibitions have included Michelangelo: Divine Draftsman & Designer (2017–2018), Age of Empires: Chinese Art of the Qin and Han Dynasties (2018–2019), and Jacob Lawrence: The American Struggle (2020–2021).
Public Programs
The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers a variety of educational and public programs for visitors of all ages. These include lectures, workshops, concerts, films, and more. The museum also hosts a variety of special events, such as the annual Art in the Park festival, which features performances, activities, and more.
Family Programs
The museum offers a variety of programs specifically designed for families, such as the Family Art Project, which allows children and their parents to explore the museum’s collection together. Other family programs include Family Scavenger Hunts, Art-Making Workshops, and Family Tours.