# Metropolitan Museum of Art

> art museum in New York City, United States

**Wikidata**: [Q160236](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q160236)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/metropolitan-museum-of-art

## Summary

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is an art museum[1][2][3] headquartered in New York City[4]. Founded in 1870, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization[4][5]. John Taylor Johnston served as its founder[6].

## Summary
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a major art museum located in Manhattan, New York City, United States, founded in 1870. It operates as a nonprofit organization and serves as a global institution for the exhibition of art, housing a vast collection that includes masterpieces like Rembrandt's *Aristotle with a Bust of Homer* and Caravaggio's *The Musicians*. The museum also manages subsidiary facilities such as The Cloisters and the Anna Wintour Costume Center, while hosting the annual Met Gala to support its Costume Institute.

## Key Facts
*   **Inception Date:** Founded on April 13, 1870 (represented as +1870-00-00T00:00:00Z).
*   **Location:** Situated in Manhattan, a borough of New York City, New York, United States.
*   **Coordinates:** Latitude 40.779444444444444, Longitude -73.96333333333334.
*   **Classification:** Defined as an art museum, museum, and nonprofit organization.
*   **Aliases:** Commonly known as MMA, The Met, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Met, Met Museum, and The Met Museum.
*   **Website:** https://www.metmuseum.org/
*   **Financial Scale:** Total assets have ranged from approximately $3.2 billion to over $6.0 billion across reported periods; revenue figures include values such as $573,752,675, $761,527,826, and $697,601,819.
*   **Subsidiaries:** Includes The Cloisters (established May 10, 1938), the Anna Wintour Costume Center (established 2014), and The Met Breuer (established January 1, 2016).
*   **Notable Events:** Hosts the Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala for the Costume Institute, which began in 1948.
*   **Key Personnel:** Directed or curated by figures including Luigi Palma di Cesnola, Caspar Purdon Clarke, Edward Robinson, Herbert Eustis Winlock, Francis Henry Taylor, James Rorimer, Thomas Hoving, Philippe De Montebello, and Max Hollein.
*   **Collection Highlights:** Owns *Young man in Mayo costume* (1863), *Head of Christ* (c. 1650), *Armor of Emperor Ferdinand I* (1549), *The Woman in the Waves* (1868), *The Chess Players* (1876), *The Lovers* (c. 1630), *Aristotle with a Bust of Homer* (1653), *Monteleone Chariot* (c. 562 BCE), *Man in Oriental Costume* (1632), *Portrait of a Young Man with a Book* (c. 1530), *Crucifixion and Last Judgement diptych* (c. 1440), *The Musicians* (1595), *Woman with a Parrot* (1866), *Young Man and Woman in an Inn* (1623), *Garden at Sainte-Adresse* (1867), *The Visit* (1657), *Mademoiselle V... in the Costume of an Espada* (1862), *The Harvesters* (1565), *Madonna and Child with Angels* (c. 1410), and *The Actor* (1904).
*   **Digital Presence:** Associated with the Umbraco open-source CMS.

## FAQs
**Where is the Metropolitan Museum of Art located and when was it founded?**
The museum is located in Manhattan, New York City, within the United States, and was established in 1870. Its precise geographic coordinates are 40.779444444444444 latitude and -73.96333333333334 longitude.

**What are the main branches or facilities operated by the museum?**
The institution operates The Cloisters, a museum in New York City dedicated to medieval art that opened in 1938. It also manages the Anna Wintour Costume Center, which opened in 2014, and previously operated The Met Breuer, an art museum in New York that began in 2016.

**Who are some of the notable directors and curators associated with the museum?**
Prominent figures include Luigi Palma di Cesnola, the first director, and later directors such as James Rorimer, Thomas Hoving, and Philippe De Montebello. Current and recent leadership includes Max Hollein, while notable curators and scholars include Herbert Eustis Winlock, Francis Henry Taylor, and Dorothea Arnold.

**What significant artworks are held in the collection?**
The collection features diverse masterpieces such as Rembrandt's *Aristotle with a Bust of Homer* (1653) and *Man in Oriental Costume* (1632), as well as Caravaggio's *The Musicians* (1595). It also holds ancient artifacts like the Monteleone Chariot (c. 562 BCE) and European paintings including *The Harvesters* by Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1565).

**How does the museum generate funding and what is its financial status?**
The museum organizes the Met Gala, an annual fundraising event for the Costume Institute that started in 1948. Financially, it operates as a nonprofit with total assets reported in various years ranging from over $3.2 billion to more than $6.0 billion.

## Why It Matters
The Metropolitan Museum of Art serves as a critical repository for human history and artistic achievement, preserving artifacts ranging from ancient bronzes to modern masterpieces. By maintaining a vast collection that includes works by Rembrandt, Manet, and Bruegel, it provides public access to cultural heritage that might otherwise be inaccessible. The museum's role extends beyond exhibition; it functions as a research hub for scholars like Dorothea Arnold and Charles Sterling, driving academic inquiry into art history and archaeology. Furthermore, its financial scale and the high-profile Met Gala demonstrate its ability to mobilize significant resources for the arts, ensuring the continued preservation and study of global culture.

## Notable For
*   **Historical Depth:** Houses artifacts dating back to 562 BCE, such as the Monteleone Chariot, alongside contemporary works.
*   **Architectural Expansion:** Operates distinct facilities including The Cloisters for medieval art and the Anna Wintour Costume Center for fashion.
*   **Cultural Events:** Hosts the Met Gala, a premier annual fundraising event for the Costume Institute established in 1948.
*   **Leadership Legacy:** Has been guided by a lineage of distinguished directors including Philippe De Montebello and Thomas Hoving.
*   **Artistic Diversity:** Holds a comprehensive range of works from the Renaissance (e.g., *Madonna and Child with Angels*) to the 19th century (e.g., *The Woman in the Waves*).
*   **Academic Contribution:** Affiliated with renowned art historians and archaeologists such as Edith Porada and Wilhelm Valentiner.
*   **Digital Infrastructure:** Utilizes the Umbraco open-source content management system for its digital operations.

## Body

### History and Founding
The Metropolitan Museum of Art was established in 1870, marking the beginning of its role as a premier cultural institution in the United States. Located in Manhattan, New York City, the museum has grown from its inception to become one of the world's largest and most visited art museums. Its founding aligns with the broader development of New York City, which saw its own inception dates recorded as 1624 and 1626, and the United States, which declared independence in 1776. The museum operates as a nonprofit organization, dedicated to the collective benefit of the public through the exhibition and preservation of art.

### Organizational Structure and Subsidiaries
The museum's ecosystem includes several distinct entities that expand its reach and specialization. The Cloisters, a museum dedicated to medieval art, was established on May 10, 1938, and is an integral part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Another key facility is the Anna Wintour Costume Center, which opened in 2014 and serves as the physical home for The Costume Institute. The museum also previously operated The Met Breuer, an art museum in New York, NY, which began operations on January 1, 2016. These subsidiaries allow the museum to curate specialized collections and exhibitions beyond its main campus.

### Leadership and Key Personnel
The institution has been shaped by a distinguished roster of directors, curators, and scholars. Luigi Palma di Cesnola, an Italian-American soldier and archaeologist, served as a key figure in the museum's early history. Other notable directors include Caspar Purdon Clarke, Edward Robinson, Herbert Eustis Winlock, Francis Henry Taylor, James Rorimer, Thomas Hoving, and Philippe De Montebello. Max Hollein, an Austrian art historian and business manager, also serves as a director. The museum's academic strength is further bolstered by affiliated experts such as Charles Sterling, Dietrich von Bothmer, Dorothea Arnold, Edith Porada, Kimberly Drew, Oscar White Muscarella, Virginia Grace, Bryson Burroughs, William T. Blodgett, Carmen Bambach, Günther Anders, Wilhelm Valentiner, Jiří Frel, and Gisela Richter. These individuals have contributed to the museum's reputation through their work in archaeology, art history, and curation.

### The Collection and Notable Artworks
The museum's holdings are vast and diverse, spanning centuries and cultures. Significant paintings in the collection include *Young man in Mayo costume* by Édouard Manet (1863), *Head of Christ* in the style of Rembrandt (c. 1650), and *The Woman in the Waves* by Gustave Courbet (1868). The museum also possesses *The Chess Players* by Thomas Eakins (1876), *The Lovers* by Reza Abbasi (c. 1630), and *Aristotle with a Bust of Homer* by Rembrandt (1653). Ancient and classical works include the *Monteleone Chariot* (c. 562 BCE) and *Madonna and Child with Angels* by Gentile da Fabriano (c. 1410). Other masterpieces include *Man in Oriental Costume* by Rembrandt (1632), *Portrait of a Young Man with a Book* by Agnolo Bronzino (c. 1530), and the *Crucifixion and Last Judgement diptych* attributed to Jan van Eyck (c. 1440). The collection also features *The Musicians* by Caravaggio (1595), *Woman with a Parrot* by Gustave Courbet (1866), *Young Man and Woman in an Inn* by Frans Hals (1623), *Garden at Sainte-Adresse* by Claude Monet (1867), *The Visit* by Pieter de Hooch (1657), *Mademoiselle V... in the Costume of an Espada* by Édouard Manet (1862), *The Harvesters* by Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1565), and *The Actor* by Pablo Picasso (1904). Additionally, the museum holds the *Armor of Emperor Ferdinand I* by Kunz Lochner (1549).

### Events and Cultural Impact
A major component of the museum's public engagement is the Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala for the Costume Institute that began in 1948. This event has become a significant cultural phenomenon, often associated with figures like Anna Wintour, an English magazine editor and prominent figure in the fashion world. The museum's influence extends to the digital realm through its use of the Umbraco open-source CMS, facilitating access to its collections and information.

### Financial and Operational Data
The Metropolitan Museum of Art operates with significant financial resources, reflecting its status as a major cultural institution. Reported total assets have varied over time, with figures including $3,202,789,465, $3,324,866,332, $3,471,893,746, $3,730,862,724, $4,002,429,655, $4,183,398,721, $4,364,352,710, $4,477,108,999, $4,530,953,743, $5,373,900,476, $5,588,554,992, $5,614,873,152, and $6,025,306,841. Revenue figures have also fluctuated, with reported amounts such as $414,668,610, $418,697,665, $425,009,982, $470,048,040, $473,744,517, $515,073,571, $536,480,017, $573,752,675, $574,798,843, $631,565,135, $653,501,924, $660,935,260, $697,601,819, and $761,527,826. These financial metrics underscore the museum's capacity to maintain its extensive collections and facilities.

### Geographic and Administrative Context
The museum is situated in the United States, a country located primarily in North America, with its inception linked to the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Treaty of Paris in 1783. It is located in New York City, the most populous city in the United States, which has historical inception dates of 1624 and 1626. The museum's presence in Manhattan places it at the heart of the city's cultural landscape. The institution is also associated with the broader context of the United States, which has a sitelink count of 423, and New York City, with a sitelink count of 320. The museum itself has a sitelink count of 84, indicating its significant presence in knowledge databases.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Source](https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/history)
3. Library of Congress Name Authority File
4. [Source](https://grp.isbn-international.org/search/piid_solr?keys=978-0-87099)
5. JSTOR
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8. www.acmi.net.au
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10. [National Register of Historic Places nomination form. National Register of Historic Places nomination form](https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/0fd04f26-474e-4342-bdac-193fc1793837)
11. Emporis Building Directory
12. Structurae
13. [Source](https://www.lhry.org/remembering-john-taylor-johnston)
14. [Source](https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/131624086)
15. GRID Release 2017-01-10
16. BnF authorities
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18. CiNii Research
19. Virtual International Authority File
20. [Source](https://nysmuseums.org/)
21. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
22. [Cinq œuvres égyptiennes saisies au Metropolitan Museum. 2022](https://www.lequotidiendelart.com/articles/21941-cinq-œuvres-égyptiennes-saisies-au-metropolitan-museum.html)
23. [Jewish Heirs Say Met Museum Pissarro Was Sold Under Nazi-Era Duress. Jewish Heirs Say Met Museum Pissarro Was Sold Under Nazi-Era Duress. 2026](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/arts/design/jewish-heirs-met-museum-pissarro-nazis.html)
24. [Met Museum Sued Over Van Gogh Allegedly Looted by Nazis. Met Museum Sued Over Van Gogh Allegedly Looted by Nazis. 2025](https://hyperallergic.com/met-museum-sued-over-van-gogh-allegedly-looted-by-nazis/)
25. [Met Picasso Belonged to Family That Fled Nazis, Suit Says. Met Picasso Belonged to Family That Fled Nazis, Suit Says. 2016](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/01/arts/design/metropolitan-museum-of-art-picasso-the-actor-lawsuit.html)
26. MusicBrainz
27. [2010](https://www.metmuseum.org/press/news/2010/metropolitan-museum-announces-524-million-annual-attendance-highest-since-2001-as-fiscal-year-ends)
28. [CNN.com. 2017](https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/most-popular-museums-world-2016/index.html?gallery=4)
29. Art's most popular : Exhibition and museum visitor figures 2018
30. Art's most popular : Exhibition and museum visitor figures 2019
31. Art's most popular : Exhibition and museum visitor figures 2021
32. [Nonprofit Explorer](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/131624086)
33. OpenCorporates
34. [Source](https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/contact)
35. Open GLAM Survey, version of 31 October 2019. 2019
36. Open GLAM Survey, version of 30 April 2020. 2020
37. Open GLAM Survey, version of 3 August 2021. 2021
38. Open GLAM Survey, version of 17 February 2022. 2022
39. [Source](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WPS-KJptUJ-o8SXtg00llcxq0IKJu8eO6Ege_GrLaNc)
40. Open GLAM Survey, version of 27 June 2023
41. Open GLAM Survey, version of 16 May 2024
42. [Source](https://hedendaagsesieraden.nl/2017/11/07/metropolitan-museum-of-art/)
43. [Source](http://www.metmuseum.org/)
44. Archaeological Atlas of Antiquity
45. GeoNames
46. [Source](https://www.metmuseum.org/)
47. [Source](https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/policies-and-documents/image-resources)
48. Nonprofit Explorer
49. [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/metmuseum/about)
50. [Source](https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met)