The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is one of the world’s most famous art museums. Located in Manhattan, it is the largest art museum in the United States and one of the most visited attractions in the world. The Met was founded in 1870 and has since become an important cultural institution, home to over two million works of art from ancient Egypt to the present day.
History of the Met
The Met was established in 1870 as a “universal museum” that would bring together the world’s greatest works of art. The original museum was located on Fifth Avenue and opened its doors to the public in 1872. In the early years, the Met focused on collecting European and American art, although it has since expanded its collection to include art from all over the world.
In 1880, the museum moved to its current location on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The building was designed by American architect Richard Morris Hunt and is a National Historic Landmark. In the years since, the museum has been expanded multiple times to accommodate its ever-growing collection.
Collection and Exhibitions
The Met is home to a vast collection of artwork from all over the world, spanning from ancient Egypt to the present day. The museum’s collection includes more than two million works of art, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, prints, drawings, and more. The Met also hosts a number of special exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing works from its collection and from private and public collections around the world.
The Met’s Collection
The Met’s collection is divided into 17 curatorial departments, each dedicated to a particular area of art. These departments include:
- African, Oceanic, and Pre-Columbian Art
- American Decorative Arts
- American Paintings and Sculpture
- Ancient Near Eastern Art
- Asian Art
- Drawings and Prints
- Egyptian Art
- European Paintings
- European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
- Greek and Roman Art
- Islamic Art
- Medieval Art
- Modern and Contemporary Art
- Musical Instruments
- Photographs
- Textiles and Costume
Visiting the Met
The Met is open seven days a week and offers a range of tours and programs for visitors of all ages. The museum is free for New York City residents, but there is an admission fee for non-residents. Visitors can purchase tickets online or at the museum’s admissions desk. There are also a variety of special events and programs offered throughout the year.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is an iconic institution that has been delighting and inspiring visitors for over a century. With its vast collection and array of programs and events, the Met is a must-see destination for art lovers from around the world.