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New York Metropolitan Museum of Art

Let give the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art a visit today. The museum is home to over two million works as part of its permanent collection. You might know the museum colloquially as “the Met”, synonymous to the Met gala where it is held.

The vast lobby and entry hallway of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art
The vast lobby and entry hallway of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Furthermore, the museum is a vast one. It is also the largest art museum in the Western Hemisphere. The museum galleries are divided among 17 curatorial departments. Each gallery offers an array and mix of large expansive open spaces. Also the galleries range to small cottage style rooms and displays.

The open square by the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art American wing
The open square by the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art American wing.

The main museum building sits at 1000 Fifth Avenue, within the grounds of New York central park itself- one of the vast green spaces of New York’s premium real estate. Most of the galleries are located on a single floor. Also, the museum was opened on April 1870 and is home to 2 million exhibits, large and small.

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Hallway
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Greek art
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Open space

Moreover, entering the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art Grand entrance and exit at 82nd street, a great hall ticketing and lobby area greets you at the entrance. From the Great Hall, going left (south) here leads you to the Greek and Roman art galleries while Egyptian art sits on the right (North side) galleries.

Vast Museum Gallery halls

The vast Temple of Dendur galleries within the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art
The vast Temple of Dendur galleries within the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Furthermore, the Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded in 1870 with its mission to bring art and art education to the American people. The museum’s permanent collection consists of works of art from classical antiquity, and dating since the B.C era and those from ancient Egypt. Several notable interiors, ranging from 1st-century Rome, through modern American industrial and contemporary design. There are all installed in its galleries under one roof.

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Vast hall
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Egyptian
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Pharaoh

In addition to Greek and Roman art galleries and sculptures, a vast gallery here is the Temple of Denur in the Sackler Wing. Notably, the Temple of Dendur is a Roman Egyptian temple on display here in its own vast hall. Also, the temple was built on 15 B.C by the Roman governor of Egypt, Petronius. Notably, it was one of many Egyptian temples commissioned by the Emperor Augustus himself, Roman first emperor.

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Vast hall
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Egyptian
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Pharaoh

Also, the Egyptian art section is home to a mix of marble stone figures, vases and even sarcophagus. Here, you can find displays of stone statues of Egyptian pharaoh and guardians.

The European medieval horse armour and cavalry hall galleries
The European medieval horse armour and cavalry hall galleries.

Moreover, the museum is home to encyclopedic collections of musical instruments, costumes, and accessories, as well as antique weapons and armour from around the world. Also, there also is a vast gallery filled with battle armour, cavalry armour and battle gear like swords and musket guns.

Close up of the horse and mounted knight armour in the gallery
Close up of the horse and mounted knight armour in the gallery.
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Horse armour
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Muskets
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Armour

Medieval art and European paintings

Furthermore, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has a large collection of Medieval art and European paintings. Also, these galleries here take up much of the central portion of the museum building. Here, you can find large galleries with floor to ceiling wall filled with paintings from gallery to gallery.

The Victorian style galleries depicting the early European and American noble household setting
The Victorian style galleries depicting the early European and American noble household setting.

Also, these are usually depictions of statesmen’s or families who are wealthy enough to have a portrait commission for them of their family, or a collection of still-life works by the painters themselves.

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Instruments
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Halls
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Interiors

Moreover, the European galleries are open and modern, yet retains classic old Victorian look in the American and European galleries. Also, here, you can find European paintings, and sculptures from nearly all the European masters of the era.

The painting gallerias which is the setting for the American and European art galleries
The vast and clean painting gallerias which is the setting for the American and European art galleries.

Additionally, the Modern and Contemporary art section is one showcasing a more modern outlook on art. You can find the galleries on the far west side of the building.

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Early garden
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Painting
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Art store

Asian and North American wing sections

Moving on, there is a section housing Asian art and those of Ancient Near Eastern art. Also, these displays portray aspects of Asian art, religion through display of textile items and figurines. Some selections include Japanese and Chinese paintings Asian art.

Japanese gallery of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art
Japanese gallery of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Moreover, there is even a recreation of a classic Chinese home and courtyard, complete with zen and stone gardens and lit paper lanterns. Also, it covers items of worship for Asian religions like Buddhism.

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Vase
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Buddhism display
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East Asian

Additionally, the North American wing is one dedicated to ancient American art. The Charles Engelhard Court at the American Art section is a vast modern development.

The MET Modern art galleries are spick, open and clutter free, a reflection of contemporary expressionism
The MET Modern art galleries are spick, open and clutter free, a reflection of contemporary expressionism.
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Gallery grounds
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Stairs
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Halls

In addition, the site spans two physical floors and home to an extensive collection of American and modern art. The galleries are easy to navigate and there are lots to see. Also, this large hall where the American galleries reside is also home to the museum café. There are seating and rest areas here to recharge during your visit.

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Skylight
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Rest areas
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Courtyard

Wrapping up, the Met maintains extensive holdings of African, Asian, Oceanian, Byzantine, and Islamic art. Also, you can find large sailing boats at the arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas.

Oceania boat
Oceania section and indigenous boat hung from the gallery ceiling as a center piece.
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Oceania
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African art
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Tapestry

All in all, the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art is a large museum is would keep you busy for an entire afternoon for your visit. Though large in size, the galleries only span mostly a single floor, making covering the museum a quick walk without doing much stairs. It location inside and just behind the Great lawn at Central park makes it a nice place to visit when you are in the central park area in the big apple New York City.

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