Curator Jeff L. Rosenheim showcases the first daguerreotypes made of a total solar eclipse, by photographers William and Frederick Langenheim.

Associate Curator Bradley Strauchen-Scherer introduces readers to a Bellophone—a two-belled tuba-euphonium hybrid instrument—recently donated to The Met.

Aliza Sena, associate coordinator for Digital Learning, shares the design inspiration behind the #MetKids Time Machine.

YoungArts Gold Award Winner Gabe Schnider recounts his recent experience playing The Met's 1993 D'Aquisto Guitar.

The Department of Musical Instruments announces the closure of its galleries for a yearlong renovation project, and invites readers to stay in touch with the department across a number of digital channels.

One hundred and forty years ago today, The Metropolitan Museum of Art made its first purchase of works of art—a group of 174 European old master paintings that became known as the "Purchase of 1871."

Chief External Relations Officer Nancy Chilton takes a look back at the history of The Met Gala, from its inception in 1948 to the red carpet spectacle of today.

"Creating the Cloisters," the spring issue of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin written by curator Timothy B. Husband, is an engaging and nuanced narrative of the early history of The Cloisters. As a complement to that narrative, I'd like to review the more recent gallery renovations and reinstallations that have been undertaken, all guided by the principle of maintaining the integrity of the original architectural vision of The Cloisters.

Violinist Johnny Gandelsman performs Bach’s Sonata No. 2 as part of a weeklong residency at The Met Cloisters.

It all began with the call of the conch.

Kitao Masanobu (Santō Kyōden)

...numerous masterpieces of woodblock printing, many of which are nearly impossible to find in such fine condition today...

MetCollects introduces highlights of works of art acquired by the Met each year through gifts and purchases.

Master of the Barbo Missal

"...The Met takes a major step in presenting masterpieces of Judaica..."

MetCollects introduces highlights of works of art acquired by the Met each year through gifts and purchases.

Man Ray

This remarkably seductive album of photogravures is an exquisite example of his legacy as America's greatest Surrealist photographer...

MetCollects introduces highlights of works of art acquired by the Met each year through gifts and purchases.

Hendrick Avercamp

"...His finished drawings are much rarer, and the present one is among his best of an imaginary landscape..."

MetCollects introduces highlights of works of art acquired by the Met each year through gifts and purchases.

Gilles Michel Louis Moutier-Le Page

...these very pistols spectacularly confirmed that the French were then unsurpassed in their mastery of the gunmaker's art...

MetCollects introduces highlights of works of art acquired by the Met each year through gifts and purchases.

Irving Penn

"The resulting portraits–landmarks in the history of twentieth century photography–are a brilliant update of some 300 years’ interest by artists in producing pictures of small tradesmen, or petit métiers."

MetCollects introduces highlights of works of art acquired by the Met each year through gifts and purchases.

Master of the Furies

When this compelling, transformative statuette of Saint Sebastian became available, it was an opportunity not to be missed, as the Museum has nothing comparable...

MetCollects introduces highlights of works of art acquired by the Met each year through gifts and purchases.

This is one of the most elegant and best-preserved porphyry vessels to have survived from classical antiquity...

MetCollects introduces highlights of works of art acquired by the Met each year through gifts and purchases.

Cartier

The journey of the emerald in this brooch from Colombia, where it originated in its natural state, to seventeenth-century India and back to New York underscores the abiding and universal attraction of great gems.

MetCollects introduces highlights of works of art acquired by the Met each year through gifts and purchases.

With the daring amalgamation of the whimsical, exotic, and macabre, the sculptural details on this ewer brilliantly show off the distinctive Portuguese interpretation of Renaissance style.

MetCollects introduces highlights of works of art acquired by the Met each year through gifts and purchases.