The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The museum opened in 1870 in a different location in New York City than where the iconic Fifth Ave building is today. In 1880, the museum opened its doors to its current location. The original building design is where the current Robert Lehman gallery is located and has since been expanded and constructed around. The Met as we know it, with Neoclassical design and spacious lobby was opened and created in 1902 by Richard Morris Hunt. Over the years, they have significantly expanded and grown its collection to over two million square feet of space. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is also affiliated with The Met Cloisters which focuses on Medieval art and history. Their mission is as follows: "to be located in the City of New York, for the purpose of establishing and maintaining in said city a Museum and library of art, of encouraging and developing the study of the fine arts, and the application of arts to manufacture and practical life, of advancing the general knowledge of kindred subjects, and, to that end, of furnishing popular instruction"(https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met). Their purpose and guidance for running the museum continues to be the core of everything the museum does, and they remain innovative in how they achieve their goals.
While here, they had several special exhibits. An Anthology of Fashion, Dutch Masterpieces, The African Origin of Civilization and Kimono Style are just some examples. One of my favorite features of the Met is how they really create a story and give context in their exhibits for the audience to engage and gain better understanding. I also noticed how the museum is using technology more with music and projections on to the art and exhibits such as the Temple of Dendur.
An Anthology of Fashion
Dutch Masterpieces
African Origin of Civilization
My favorite overall exhibit was the second floor 19th and Early 20th Century European Paintings and Sculpture. Here we found paintings from van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Seurat, Gauguin and Renoir.
While reading an informational card in Gallery 822, it details the intertwined lives of Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin. They were both involved in the Post- Impressionism art movement in France at the time, meeting each other frequently. When viewing the individual works below, you can see the similarities and techniques shared between this group of artists. But their are subtle differences as well, such as use of color and subject matter.
Study for "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte". Georges Seurat. 1884. Impressionist. Oil on canvas. Dimensions: 27 3/4 x 41 in. (70.5 x 104.1 cm)
The Monet Family in their Garden at Argenteuil. Edouard Manet. 1874. Impressionist. Oil on canvas. Dimensions: 24 x 39 1/4 in. (61 x 99.7 cm)
The above painting by Claude Monet, Garden at Sainte-Adresse, was among my favorite pieces from the exhibit on 19th and Early 20th century European art. It depicts Monet's father and extended family spending time outside. According to the description card from the museum, "Monet spent the Summer of 1867 with his family at Sainte-Adresse, a seaside resort near Le Havre." He uses color vibrantly here, with the flowers in the garden and the turquoise of the water. Their are both French and Spanish flags waving above the garden so it feels as if the painting is conveying a sense of movement and wind. In the distance you see smoke billowing from the ships, giving a sense of foreboding because you are unaware if they are warships heading off to fight. Apparently, at the time of painting this, his mistress Camille, was pregnant. His father wished for him to stop painting and to abandon Camille. Monet travelled with his family to Le Havre to both appease him family and to prove to them about his career as a painter. He would later marry Camille, and would continue create more art. Below is another piece he created during that summer in titled Garden in Bloom at Saint-Adresse located at Musee D'Orsay in Paris, France:
