The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or simply the Met, is an iconic and renowned cultural institution located in New York City. Founded in 1870, it is the largest art museum in the United States and one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world. As one of the nation’s oldest and most respected museums, The Met has a long and rich history that stretches back to its foundations.
The idea to create an encyclopedic art museum was first proposed in 1866 by a group of American businessmen and philanthropists who were determined to create a grand public institution to showcase art from around the world. In 1870, they formed The Metropolitan Museum of Art Association, which was later incorporated by an Act of Legislature from New York State on April 13th.
This piece of legislation granted The Met tax-exempt status and allowed it to begin collecting works for its permanent collection.
The first structure for The Met was built on Fifth Avenue between 80th and 84th Streets. This building opened on February 20th 1872 with 174 works from ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece and Assyria as well as some European paintings and sculptures. In 1880, a new building was completed next door which allowed for more artworks to be added to the collection.
Since then, The Met has kept expanding with various renovations and expansions taking place throughout its history including two major construction projects: the two-phase expansion of The Met Cloisters (1932-1938) and the major expansion project at its Fifth Avenue location (1982-1994). Today, The Met has over two million objects spanning five thousand years of culture.
Conclusion:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art was officially founded in 1870 when it received its incorporation by an Act of Legislature from New York State on April 13th. Its first structure on Fifth Avenue between 80th and 84th Streets opened in 1872 with 174 works from ancient Egypt, Rome Greece and Assyria as well as some European paintings and sculptures.