The Metropolitan Museum of Art, located in New York City, is one of the world’s most esteemed and renowned art institutions. Its vast collection houses some of the most important works of art in the world, from ancient artifacts to contemporary masterpieces.
With over two million pieces in its permanent collection, choosing the single most valuable thing in the museum is virtually impossible. However, there are a few pieces that stand out above the rest for their rarity and importance.
The Great Hall Clock, also known as The Great Timekeeper, was a gift to the museum from J.P. Morgan in 1909. It was created by Edward Potter and stands at 18 feet tall. The clock is considered one of the finest surviving examples of pre-industrial clockmaking and is currently valued at over $10 million.
The Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, painted by Gustav Klimt in 1907, is another important piece at the museum. It was purchased by Ronald Lauder for a record-breaking $135 million dollars in 2006 and is considered Klimt’s masterpiece. The painting depicts Adele Bloch-Bauer, a woman from Vienna who was a great patroness of Klimt’s work.
The Temple Of Dendur, an ancient Egyptian temple built during 15 BC, was gifted to the museum by Egypt in 1965. It stands nearly 30 feet tall and features intricate hieroglyphics and carvings along its walls. The temple has become an iconic symbol of both ancient Egypt and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The Hope Diamond, another gift from J.P Morgan, is one of the world’s most famous diamonds with a history that dates back centuries. The 45-carat blue diamond has been estimated to be worth over $350 million dollars making it one of the most valuable items at the museum.
With so many priceless works on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art it’s impossible to choose just one item as being more valuable than any other piece within its collection; however these four works stand out for their rarity and importance making them some of the most valuable things within this iconic institution.
Conclusion: Trying to name one single item as being more valuable than any other piece within The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection would be difficult due to its vast array of priceless works; however there are four items that stand out due to their rarity and importance: The Great Hall Clock, Portrait Of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, Temple Of Dendur, and Hope Diamond – all making them some of the most valuable things within this iconic institution.