Since its founding in 1870, The Metropolitan Museum of Art — known worldwide simply as The Met — has become one of the most iconic cultural landmarks in New York City and the world. Here, ancient sculptures stand alongside Impressionist canvases, samurai armor neighbors Hollywood costumes, and five millennia of human history unfold under one roof.
Today, The Met houses over 2 million works of art, representing 5,000 years of culture from around the globe. The museum has more than 20 permanent galleries, not counting temporary exhibitions. Visitors can explore everything from American and European painting and sculpture, to Asian culture, African and Egyptian art, rare books, musical instruments, and photography.
A Brief History of The Met
The Met was founded in 1870 by a group of wealthy New York art enthusiasts. The original collection — 174 paintings owned by railroad tycoon Taylor Johnston — formed the core of the museum’s first exhibition. In 1907, The Met acquired its first painting by Auguste Renoir, setting the stage for what would become a world-class Impressionist collection. In 2013, the museum expanded further with an invaluable Cubist collection, including 33 works by Picasso.
The museum first opened its doors on February 20, 1872, at 681 Fifth Avenue. In 1880, it moved to its current home on Fifth Avenue — a neo-Gothic building designed by architects Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould. Since then, the structure has seen numerous expansions and modernizations.
Fun fact: For decades, visitors wore small round, color-coded admission badges, which changed daily and were proudly pinned to clothing as souvenirs. In 2014, these were replaced with less charming sticker tickets.
The Met’s Collection: From Ancient Egypt to Modern Times
One of the museum’s most celebrated collections is its Egyptian Art. Ancient sarcophagi, with their precise and intricate line work, are among the highlights. Over half of the Egyptian artifacts were excavated directly by The Met’s own archaeological teams, which have been active in Egypt since 1906.
A major centerpiece is the Temple of Dendur, saved from flooding during the construction of the Aswan Dam in 1964 and gifted to The Met by Egypt as a token of gratitude for its preservation efforts.
The museum’s Asian Art Department includes more than 35,000 objects, ranging from paintings to everyday items. A notable highlight is the extensive collection of Chinese calligraphy, and visitors can also enjoy a tranquil Ming Dynasty-style garden within the museum grounds.
Upon entering the museum’s main hall, you’re greeted by an impressive display of mounted knights in armor, installed in 1975. The Arms and Armor section features pieces from Medieval Europe, Japan (5th–19th centuries), Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Middle East, and across Africa, Oceania, and the Americas.
The Costume Institute: Fashion as Art
In 1937, The Met welcomed the Costume Institute into its fold. Originally housed in the museum’s basement, the delicate nature of historical fabrics soon required special preservation conditions. Today, its rare and fragile garments are exhibited only twice a year.
The Costume Institute is also behind one of the most talked-about fashion events in the world — the annual Met Gala. What began as a charity fundraiser has become a global spectacle of fashion, celebrity, and culture.
In 2007, the starting price for a Met Gala ticket was $6,500.
Each gala has a unique theme, often interpreted dramatically by guests. Some memorable past themes include:
- “Rock Style” (1999) – spotlighting over 40 rock icons like Madonna, David Bowie, and The Beatles
- “The Chanel Exhibit” (2005) – a tribute to the legendary fashion house
- “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy” (2008) – where comic book aesthetics met high fashion
- “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity” (2010) – exploring how shifts in women’s fashion from the 1890s to the 1940s mirrored political and social change in the U.S.
Plan your visit
Website: www.metmuseum.org
📍 Location: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028
Admission: Pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents and NY, NJ, CT students (with ID). For all other visitors:
- Adults: $30
- Seniors (65+): $22
- Students: $17
- Children under 12: Free
Admission includes same-day entry to The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Cloisters, and The Met Breuer (when applicable).
