The Metropolitan Museum is the crown of jewels in the history of Manhattan. Begin your journey with a trip to the roof garden, which is situated above the treetops of Central Park. You stand a good chance of viewing the amazing Manhattan skyline.
Be part of the sculpture exhibition during the summer. From then on, you can witness the art and culture of 50 centuries come to life. Two million art exhibits from all over the globe are housed here. The tour passes through an Egyptian temple, suits of armor, and Dior dinner dresses. Pieter Brueghel’s Corn Harvest is the pride of the museum.
The founders of the museum must be astonished to know that it has become an encyclopedia of art. The Neo-Gothic architecture was perfected by Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould, and the structure was built in 1874.
The history of the museum is synonymous with the history of the donors. The museum has gained fame and success with the help of donations and patronage. In 1901, Jacob S. Rogers donated seven million dollars to the museum. Therefore, some masterpieces, such as Cypresses by Vincent Van Gogh, are tagged as ‘Roger’s Fund’.
Benjamin Altman bestowed his entire collection of artworks, which includes more than 100 works, to the museum. Among them is the famous Virgin and Child with Saint Anne by Albrecht Dürer. Horace O. Havemeyer’s entire collection was included in 1929. El Greco’s View of Toledo holds a prominent place in the collection. The museum houses classic works of Monet and Gauguin. Monsieur Rodin’s sculptures will leave you asking for more.
The collection of paintings in the museum is the best outside Europe. Rembrandt’s classic, Aristotle contemplating the bust of Homer, is one of the most visited. Of the 35 paintings of Johannes Vermeer, five are owned by the museum. The Portrait of a Young Woman is one of the major attractions in the museum.
Contemporary art is exhibited in the Lila Acheson Wallace Wing. The architecture and ambience of the gallery blends well with the artwork. The collection has impressive exhibits of post-war themes. The Ventriloquist and Crier in the Moor by Paul Klee is exhibited on the mezzanine floor. The galleries on the first floor feature art works of the early twentieth century movements, including works by Picasso, Braque, Léger, Giacometti, Modigliani, Boccioni, Dalí, and Miró.
The first three floors of the museum are home to American art from the colonial era to the early 20th century. Some of the exhibits are difficult to view as the pictures are hung frame by frame in 19th century style.
Glass exhibits, such as Louis Comfort Tiffany’s View of Oyster Bay, will give you a different perspective of art. Also famous is Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware.
The number of visitors touched the five million mark in a calendar year. It takes more than one visit to appreciate the grandeur and craftsmanship of each exhibit.
