Metropolitan museum of art commonly referred to as the Met is considered the largest and prestigious art museum in world. It is one of the most visited museum in the world. Only in last year more than 5.3 million visitors happened to visit this immersive museum. It is estimated that it is most visited museum in United States of America and fourth most-visited art museum in the world. It is estimated to have more than 490,000 plus work of art at any given time.
History of Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art is often referred to simple as the Met has a rich and storied history. It was founded in 1870 and was opened its door for general public in 1872 at its current location in Central Park, New York City. The founders of this cultural icon of museum included businessmen and artists with the aim of establish a major museum in United States to bring and art education to the American People.
Collections in Metropolitan Museum of Art
Since its inception the Met has grown exponentially in both in its stature and size. It is estimated that the Met holds art collections spanning over 5000 years of art history and encompassing cultures from all over the world. It has one of the most comprehensive art collections in the world.
The art collections include Ancient Egyptian Art Collection, featuring artifacts such as monumental sculptures, intricately decorated sarcophagi, and precious jewelry that offer a glimpse into the civilization’s beliefs and customs. The Met’s European Paintings collection is another highlight, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The work of renowned artists such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso. The collection includes religious subjects, portraits, landscapes, and genre scenes that illustrate the evolution of European art over centuries.
The Asian collection in The Met is probably the most comprehensive art collections outside Asia. Its art collections include artworks from China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia and Himalayas. It includes ancient ceramics, exquisite jade carvings, Buddhist sculptures, Japanese samurai armor, and contemporary Asian art.
The Met’s art collections offer a unique insight into human creativity, cultural diversity and artistic expression from across the globe. If you are interested in ancient civilizations, the intricate arts of Asia, European art collections or anything else that matters in the world of art you can find it here in The Met. The Met has a treasure trove of art and artifacts that educates its visitors and captures their imagination as well.
Expansion in The Met
Over the decades the Metropolitan Museum of Art(The Met) has undergone significant endeavor aimed at enhancing the visitor experience, accommodate its growing collections and improving its facilities. One of the most notable expansions in recent years is the renovation and expansion of The Met Breuer, a former Whitney Museum building that The Met began leasing in 2016. This space was used to showcase modern and contemporary art, complementing the museum’s main campus.
Another noticeable expansion initiative includes the renovation of the museum’s main building. Also the museum regularly renovates its infrastructure, climate control systems and accessibility features to ensure a comfortable and engaging experience for all visitors.
Virtual Tours
The Metropolitan Museum of Art(The Met) has also worked extensively to create a robust virtual presence in addition to physical exhibitions and collections. The Met provides virtual tours where visitors can explore various galleries and exhibitions while sitting at their homes. The Met has also digitized a significant portion of its collection, making high-resolution images of artworks available online. The museum also offers extensive educational resources online, including lesson plans, videos and interactive features designed for educators, students and lifelong learners.
Location of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is located on the eastern edge of Central Park along Fifth Avenue, between East 80th and 84th Streets in New York City. It is easily accessible and a key cultural landmark in Manhattan.