Visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Art is an integral part of the culture of New York City and any trip there should include a stop at least one of the city’s many museums. From art by the most famous and sought after artists in the world to paintings from the guy next door, New York’s art scene is sure to have something for everyone.
One of New York’s most famous museums is the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or The Met, which was founded in 1870 with the purpose of bringing art and art education to the American public. The group of people who established the museum comprised some of America’s leading businessmen, artists, financiers and philosophers, and it was their vision that led toThe Met becoming one of the great art centers of the world.
History of the Museum
The museum started its collection in 1870 with the acquisition of 3 private European collections containing a total of 174 paintings, and included works by Hals, Van Dyck, Poussin, Tiepolo, and Guardi. Although the museum’s collection continued to grow over the rest of the 19th century, it wasn’t until the 1900′s that The Met joined the ranks of the top museums in Europe. In 1880 The Met moved from its original site to it current location in Central Park, and many additions have been built to hold its ever increasing collection. The final expansions were completed in 1991 and the museum now houses one of the largest and most comprehensive art collections in the world. In addition to its large collection of European art, some of The Met’s more notable exhibitions include The American Wing, its collection of Islamic art, and the massive section of Egyptian art.
Getting to the Museum
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is located at:
1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
From the West Side of Manhattan:
Take the #1 train to 86th Street and change to the M86 crosstown bus through Central Park to Fifth Ave. If the weather is nice, skip the bus and take a nice stroll through the park on your way to the Met.
From the East Side of Manhattan:
Take the number 6 train to 86th Street, then walk three blocks west to Fifth Ave.
From Penn Station:
Take the M4 bus to the intersection of 83rd Street and Madison Ave.
Museum Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Wednesday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Thursday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Friday: 9:30am – 9:00pm
Saturday: 9:30am – 9:00pm
Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s homepage for more information about visiting and current exhibitions.
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October 22nd, 2007 at 12:32 am
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