The Metropolitan Museum of Art, located in New York City, is the largest art museum in the United States, and one of the three largest in the world, with the most significant art collections.
A group of citizens who wanted to bring art to the public opened the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1870. The museum originally included three private collections of paintings, but today it houses an astonishing two million works of art and artifacts spanning much of the history of human culture.
The present Central Park location became the home of the Met in 1880 and began expanding by 1888. The latest architectural plan, designed to make the museum more accessible, was completed in 1991.
Represented in the permanent collection are works of art The museum is famous as a home of renowned paintings, but it houses much more, including such items as porcelain, musical instruments, historical artifacts, costumes and even armaments. The Met also maintains extensive holdings of African, Asian, Oceanic, Byzantine, and Islamic art. The museum is also home to encyclopedic collections of musical instruments, costumes and accessories, and antique weapons and armor from around the world.
Rare collections such as: The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasure’s from the Forbidden City, Guitar Heroes: Legendary Craftsmen from Italy to New York, and Cezanne’s Card Players rotate to the Museum at intervals, complementing its sufficiently stunning and diverse mainstays.
Children will enjoy the Met’s Drop in Drawing program, which allows them to get hands-on art experience. While it may take a lifetime to fully appreciate its vast collections, this is one excellent way to spend an afternoon. Even if you’ve already paid several visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you have not seen it all. This museum acquires hundreds of new pieces each year, making for a unique experience that will leave you wanting more time to explore.
Daily guided tours educate and enlighten visitors to the museum about the entire collection or a particular exhibit. Tours are available in a variety of languages for international visitors. The museum is closed on Mondays except for Memorial Day.
May 27, 2013
I. C.
