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Metropolitan Museum of Art Publications

From its founding in 1870, The Metropolitan Museum of Art has published exhibition catalogs, collection catalogs, and guides to the collection. In addition, over the course of its nearly 150-year history, it has produced countless ephemeral publications such as press releases, exhibition checklists, gallery hunts for children, symposia proceedings, and more.

As part of The Met's mission to reach the broadest possible audience, Watson Library is making as many of these publications available for free online as possible through our Digital Collections. To date, all known publications from 1869 to 1993 to which The Met owns the full copyright (over 2,300) are currently online, and titles are continually being added.

Watson Library also works closely with the museum's Digital and Editorial departments to share content for this collection and MetPublications, which, in addition to providing PDFs of nearly 600 major publications from 1964 to the present, also provides online preview access to in-print and shared copyright publications.

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Eisenhower Receives Life Fellowship Award (1946)

A ceremony honoring General Dwight D. Eisenhower as a fellow of The Met for life.

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Exhibition Catalogs

Catalogs and checklists published in conjunction with special exhibitions that have taken place at The Met.

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Metropolitan Museum of Art Images

Historic photographs of The Met's architecture, banners, and permanent and special exhibition galleries.

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Metropolitan Museum of Art Press Kits and Press Releases

All press releases issued by The Met from 1940–2009, and all press kits issued from 1995–2015.

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Schools of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Records

Records documenting the vocational training and fine arts instruction programs organized by the Museum from 1879 to 1895.

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Symposium on Harlem On My Mind

Panel discussions held in conjunction with the 1969 Met exhibition Harlem on My Mind.

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75th Anniversary Committee Announcement Luncheon (1946)

Images and audio from a luncheon to commemorate the Met's 75th Anniversary.

http://libmma.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/search/collection/p15324coll10/searchterm/Exhibition%20of%20Work%20by%20Manufacturers%20and%20Designers/field/creato/mode/all/conn/and/order/date Detail of an exhibition book cover from 1929 showing a stylized plant motif in shades of green with black accents

American Industrial Arts Exhibitions, 1917–1940

Catalogs from a landmark series of exhibitions at The Met highlighting contemporary American industrial design.

Detail of the cover of the 1901 Annual Report showing the Seal of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Annual Reports, 1872–1901 (Unabridged Versions)

These differ from the abridged versions available through JSTOR primarily due to more extensive membership lists.

Detail of a brown cloth bound volume with the words "CATALOGUE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS VOL. III PART II" stamped in gold

Catalogs of the Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments

This comprehensive set of catalogs from 1888–1915 documents the early years of this important collection as it grew and evolved.

Detail of a book cover with the words "THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION" stamped in black on light green cloth

Charters, Constitutions, and/or By-laws

Various iterations and updates to these important foundational documents.

Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch 1606–1669), <em>Flora</em> (detail), ca. 1654. Oil on canvas. Image of the Roman goddess Flora, depicted as a woman with long brown hair; wearing a white frock, bead necklace, and a large hat decorated with flowers and greenery

Collection Catalogs

Historic and current catalogs documenting The Met's permanent collection.

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Educational Programs and Listings

Historic ephemera with an emphasis on public education, including lists of lectures, maps, gallery hunts, and more.

Jacob Lawrence (American, 1917–2000), <em>The Photographer</em> (detail),1942. Watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paper. Scene of a photographer using a large format camera with a tripod, a hood, and a flash, to shoot a busy urban street scene

Family Guides and Art Hunts

Historic ephemera published by The Met's Education department for children and teachers.

Detail of the cover of a Met Museum policy document with the title "HOW MUSEUMS CAN MOST WISELY DISPOSE OF SURPLUS MATERIAL, 1929" stamped in black on a light blue cloth cover

Management and Policy Documents

Historic ephemera regarding the administration, finances, and operations of The Met.

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Metropolitan Museum of Art Children's Bulletin (1916–1935)

Short stories for young children featuring art from The Met's collection.

Painted sarcophagus niche of the Senewosretankh crypt (detail)

Publications of the Egyptian Expedition

Publications documenting The Met's excavation activities in Egypt, from 1906 through the present.

At top: View facing southwest showing main facade and Wing D (detail), 1904