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Photographed up-close, from three-quarter view, a piece of silver scientific equipment shines a precise bulls-eye light on a painting of blue irises.

Scientific Research

About Us

The Department of Scientific Research comprises a team of scientists specialized in the study of works of art. Scientists collaborate with curators and conservators throughout the Museum to investigate the material aspects of works of art in The Met collection, and work with designers, registrars, collection managers, and other behind-the-scenes staff to guarantee the long-term safety of the collection. The Department also pursues innovative research in analytical methodologies, preventive conservation, and treatment protocols.

In addition to their collaborative work within the Museum, department staff partner with academic researchers, including scientists at the City College of New York, the University of Delaware, New York University, The University of Bordeaux, France, Columbia University, Weill Cornell Medicine, and The American Museum of Natural History as well as scientists, curators, and conservators from other leading museums throughout the world.

Browse an abridged bibliography of our staff’s work.

Our Facilities and Equipment

With a staff of fifteen and laboratories equipped for electron microscopy with microanalysis, spectroscopic techniques, and mass spectrometry, among other techniques, the Department of Scientific Research is one of the most advanced facilities in the world for cultural heritage science.

See a list of our equipment.

Research

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Essay
The Inside (and Outside) Scoop: Scientific Analysis of Food Residues Inside the Jars from Old Edgefield, South Carolina
Learn about the intensive analysis undertaken by The Met’s Department of Scientific Research to determine what foods were stored in nineteenth-century stoneware jars produced by enslaved artisans from Old Edgefield, South Carolina.
Essay
Benchmarking the Oddy Test: Development of Damage Thresholds and a New Tool for Standardizing Material Tests for Cultural Heritage Institutions
Developing new approaches in assessing the use of conservation materials for displaying, transporting, or storing art.
Two images of scientists at work, superimposed with the logo for NICS, written under an outline of the NYC skyline.
Collaboration
Network Initiative for Conservation Science (NICS)

Learn how NICS advances research and scholarship in art history, archaeology, conservation, and science by sharing The Met's cutting-edge scientific research facilities and analytical instrumentation, expertise, and resources.

The ARCHE collaboration logo depicting a series of linked arch bridges.
Collaboration
ARt and Cultural HEritage: Natural Organic Polymers by Mass Spectrometry (ARCHE)

The ARCHE partnership improves our scientific understanding of the material dimension of museum collections.

Triptych showing a scientist at work, small glasses with colored contents, and a vitrine display.
Collaboration
Preventive Conservation Science Laboratory (PCSL)
The PCSL focuses on understanding the environmental factors that affect works of art.

Opportunities

Articles, Audio, and Video

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Featured

An earth toned Sphinx with wings
Ancient Greek Sculpture in Color
A collaboration reveals new research on an archaic Greek sphinx finial at The Met.
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Refashioning the Lavoisiers
A team of experts from across The Met gains new understanding of Jacques Louis David’s iconic portrait.

The Latest

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