What Is the History of the Metropolitan Museum of Art?

Art|Art Museum

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, commonly known as The Met, is one of the world’s largest and most visited art museums. Located in New York City, it was founded in 1870 and has since grown to become one of the premier cultural institutions in the world. The museum’s collection includes more than two million works spanning five thousand years of human history, from ancient Egyptian artifacts to modern art.

The Met has its origins in the private art collection of wealthy financier John Taylor Johnston, who purchased an extensive selection of European paintings and sculpture in 1871. After his death in 1887, Johnston’s estate was bequeathed to the city of New York with the intention that it be used to create a public museum. The Metropolitan Museum of Art opened its doors on February 20th, 1872 with a collection that included works by Raphael, Titian and Rembrandt.

In its early years, The Met was primarily focused on European art works. However, over time it began to expand its collection, incorporating pieces from all over the world.

In 1916 it held its first exhibition devoted exclusively to African art; two years later it opened an American Wing dedicated solely to American paintings and sculpture; and in 1925 a Department of Near Eastern Art was established for Asian and Middle Eastern pieces. By the mid-twentieth century The Met had grown into one of the largest museums in the world with collections ranging from Ancient Greek pottery to contemporary photography.

Today The Met is home to more than 7 million objects across 17 departments including European Paintings and Sculpture; Greek and Roman Art; Islamic Art; Asian Art; Arms and Armor; Musical Instruments; Egyptian Art; Costume Institute; Drawings and Prints; Modern and Contemporary Art; Medieval Art; Photographs among many others.

Conclusion:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the most renowned cultural institutions in the world with a rich history spanning over 140 years. From its humble beginnings as a private art collection belonging to John Taylor Johnston, today it houses more than seven million works from all corners of the globe ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to modern art.