Summer Vacation Getaway for Artisans: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Offers Inspiration

If you’ve never experienced the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), it is a must-see for artisans and art curators. It’s one of the largest museums in the United States and one of the ten largest museums in the world.

On your next trip to New York, you need to add the MET on your to-do list.

The museum is located at 1000 5^th Avenue in Manhattan. There are over four hundred galleries throughout the main building including The Cloisters museum and garden.

Prior to your visit, you should inquire about upcoming exhibitions of interest.

Unfortunately my time was limited, so I did not get a chance to view all the areas as hoped for. When you visit, I suggest that you make it a day trip, so you’re able to experience all that the museum has to offer.  

You can easily find your way to selected galleries with guided signage or by make reservations for an assisted tour guide who will provide a detailed history of selected works as well as answer questions from group visitors.

There is a diverse selection of artworks ranging from photography; to sculptures and paintings; to musical instruments from all around the world.

The rich mixture of cultures and creativity provides a unique learning experience from the curious eyes of a child; to the aged great-grandparent who never stops exploring the awes of imagination. 

   Here is a quick glimpse into the MET museum:

  The American Wing | 73 galleries

§              Displays domestic arts of the 17^th to the early 19^th centuries

§              Highlights painting galleries and an enclosed sculpture court

  Ancient Near Eastern Art | 7 galleries

§            Presents varied artworks that border neighboring cultures

§            Provides a wide range of materials and dated artworks that unite a collective  visual expression.

 Arms and Armor | 11 galleries

§            Presents a collection of 800 objects on permanent display located in The John  Pierpont Morgan Wing

§           Showcases various countries from Europe, America, Japan, India and Islamic  cultures

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas | 9 Galleries

§         Compilation over 11,000 works of art from sub-Saharan Africa, the Pacific  Islands and North, Central and South America as early as 3000 B.C.E to the  present

§        Galleries are arranged by geographic regions and housed in the Michael C.  Rockefeller Wing located in the south side of the Museum

Asian Art | 54 galleries

  Featuring paintings, prints, calligraphy, sculptures, metalwork, ceramics, lacquers, works of decorative art, and textiles from East Asia, South Asia, the Himalayan kingdoms, and Southeast Asia

§       Galleries are arranged geographically and chronologically which explores the many cultures and the connection between the traditions of Asian cultures

§       Gallery installations such as Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian and Tibetan paintings are rotated every four to six months which is based on the fragility of the displays.

Egyptian Art | 39 galleries

§        Consisting of 26,000 historical objects of cultural importance dating from the Paleolithic to the Roman period

§         Entire Displays are located in the Lila Acheson Wallace Galleries of Egyptian Art in chronological order in over 39 rooms

European Paintings | 72 galleries

       The world-famous collection of European paintings covers Italy, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Britain from ca. 1230 to 1900

  Split into two gallery suites: the Old Masters and the 19^th century

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts | 55 galleries

           Revealing 50,000 objects that reflect the progression of art forms in Western European countries from the early 15^th through the early 20^th century

Greek and Roman Art | 27 galleries

Highlights all the materials ancient artist used to craft their artwork such as: marble, limestone, terracotta, bronze, gold, silver, and glass, as well as such rarer substances as ivory and bone, iron, lead, amber, and wood.

Objects range from small engraved gemstones, black or red-figure painted vases to larger than life-sized statues

 Islamic Art | 15 galleries

§          Featuring artwork from Turkey, Iran, Central Asia and South Asia

§          Galleries were renovated in 2011 and reorganized with modern muse logical  practices

The Robert Lehman Collection | 13 galleries

One of the most distinguished privately assembled art collections in the United States.

Features a sky lit gallery with an extension of luxurious rooms revealing velvet wall coverings, extravagant draperies, plush rugs and richly embodied furniture pieces that evoke the ambience of private interiors that recreate the Lehman family residence.

Medieval Art | 8 galleries

§         A vast collection of historical art with over 1400 objects to view in the Main Building

§        Follow through time from medieval to Byzantine Art from their roots in Celtic and the late Roman era

Modern and Contemporary Art | 30 galleries

§        Contains over 12,000 artworks from living artists in all mediums from 1900 to the present across all regions

Musical Instruments | 4 galleries

§        Displays over 800 objects in The André Mertens Galleries for Musical Instruments

§        There are two halls featured: (1) Devoted to Western instruments which is arranged by type or family; (2) non-Western instruments, grouped geographically

Medieval Art | 8 galleries

§         A vast collection of historical art with over 1400 objects to view in the Main Building

§         Follow through time from medieval to Byzantine Art from their roots in Celtic and the late Roman era

Modern and Contemporary Art | 30 galleries

§        Contains over 12,000 artworks from living artists in all mediums from 1900 to the present across all regions

Musical Instruments | 4 galleries

§         Displays over 800 objects in The André Mertens Galleries for Musical  Instruments

§        There are two halls featured: (1) Devoted to Western instruments which is arranged by type or family; (2) non-Western instruments, grouped geographically

For more info:

Contact:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

1000 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10028-0198
Phone: 212-535-7710

The Cloisters Museum and Gardens

99 Margaret Corbin Drive
Fort Tryon Park
New York, New York 10040
Phone: 212-923-3700


Photo Credits:  Yolanda Berry; Publisher

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