The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Bringing Art Education to the American Public
The Creation of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The creation of the Metropolitan Museum of Art was one of the most prominent movements for the art world. The Metropolitan Museum was originally created to bring a little bit of art education to the American public. However, it did start as a fairly small movement but it is one of the most celebrated and renowned art museums in the United States. Holding exclusive exhibits and hosting lavish events each year such as the popular Met Gala, which raises money for the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute. This is how the Metropolitan Museum is seen by the public in today’s eyes. That said, it was much more minuscule and lowkey back when it was being created. The earliest known roots of the Metropolitan Museum came about in Paris in 1866, when a group of people wanted to bring art pieces and art education to the American Public. So, with this idea in mind, when they arrived back in the United States, they rounded up artists architects and businessmen in hopes of bringing this idea to life. In an article titled, “CENTRAL PARK IMPROVEMENT” published in 1872 in The New York Times in which describes new and exciting renovations coming to New York. These new renovations included the Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It explains the are in which the Metropolitan Museum will be built along with its size and materials. The writer explains, "Its exact locality is the old deer-park in the beautiful meadows opposite Eightieth and Eighty-first streets. This building will be very much smaller, and very much lower than the other, and will, in all probability, be much sooner finished. Its materials are to be the same, and its style will also be an adaptation of the modern Gothic evolved by English architects" (CENTRAL PARK IMPROVEMENT). Although The Metropolitan would be smaller than previous building described in the article (Museum of Natural History), builders and architects knew exactly what their vision was and where they wanted the building to be situated, on the attractive meadows of an old deer-park. The writer also explains how architects of the building will be resurrecting old styles from the 1860s and 1870s which will immerse museum visitors into the art world. Therefore, once the Metropolitan Museum is finished it will exceed all expectations of the public.
Building The Metropolitan Museum of Art
"Great Hall" Taken January 1910
Paintings Gallery, Taken May 1907
The Art
After the building of the Metropolitan Museum was finished, it was time to bring in the art. Since the creators wanted to bring art education to the American public they imported art from all around the world. Bringing art from different countries and other parts of the world was crucial to execute their plan of public exposure, in which any visitors of the Met could see the different styles and details of paintings and sculptures that these diverse places used in creating their art. Also, the Met wasn’t the only museum at the time which obviously calls for some conflict when deciding which pieces go to which museum. Thus, other museums were trying to take the art pieces that were being put into the Met but the Met ended up getting them which shows their dedication to art and bringing art knowledge to the American public. Moreover, the first piece to make it to the Met was a Roman sarcophagus along with other work done by Anthony van Dyck, Nicolas Poussin, and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.
The Met Gala
Getting more into the well known and relevant events hosted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art that are still around today, such as the iconic Met Gala, otherwise known as, “Fashion’s biggest night.” The Met Gala started as a rather minuscule event in 1949 where New York’s elite would come together dine and walk around the museum. This night also doubled as a fundraiser for the Met Galas Costume Institute. As fashion and art were becoming more important and well known in society, newspapers started publishing pictures and articles about dresses and outfits. Why is this important? Because newspapers were mainly more focused on current stories or political happenings. However, The New York Times published a picture of a dress. When this came out it was right around the time of the first Met Gala. Thus, meaning fashion news was on a big rise. By documenting this dress it would bring much more attention to fashion and the Met Museum. And it did, as more Met Galas occurred they started turning into a larger public affair. Soon enough, themes were introduced to the Met Gala in which invited celebrities would have to follow the decided theme in their dress.
Lady Gaga, 2019
Theme: Camp
Zendaya, 2018
Theme: Heavenly Body
Rihanna, 2017
Theme: Comme Des Garcons
The Metropolitan Museum's Overall Affect on the American Public
Not only did the MET Museum house eccentric and rare art but it is now home to ancient and new articles of clothing. Now, visitors to the museum can look at the art and fashion of the future and past. Although the Met Museum started off very small and unknown, its dedication to art and art knowledge was significant. It is now a safe house for art lovers and art enthusiasts everywhere and will continue to inspire and educate everyone who walks through its doors.