A Stunning Season

«In the New York Times' recent review of The Met's Max Beckmann exhibition, Ken Johnson declared, "It's the best show I've seen anywhere in New York this year." Beckmann joins a stellar season that includes a glorious study of Jerusalem from 1000 to 1400, the "big Baroque blast" devoted to the unknown master Valentin de Boulogne, and a new perspective on the drawings of an 18th-century favorite, Jean Honoré Fragonard—all the subject of extraordinary critical acclaim. Over at The Met Breuer, the Times also hailed our "smashing 35-year retrospective" of Kerry James Marshall, which opens this week to join the revelatory show of Diane Arbus's early work.»

These projects are the work of our visionary curators, and this season—like many others before it—demonstrates The Met at its best: preserving our commitment to scholarship as we innovate to serve our audience. It is not enough just to present these exhibitions; it is our job to connect people to them, and to show the public what's possible when ideas embrace, defy, or redefine the visual expression of their time.

Indeed, we look forward to watching a whole new generation explore these exhibitions when Teens Take The Met happens again here this Friday, October 28. It is an evening filled with the excitement of discovery, when teenagers from across the city realize that The Met belongs to everyone.

You too can "take The Met" anytime and enjoy that same thrill. I hope you'll visit the galleries soon.

Above, clockwise from top left: Max Beckmann (German, 1884–1950). Self-Portrait in Blue Jacket (detail), 1950. Saint Louis Art Museum, Bequest of Morton D. May | Al-Qazwini (1202–1283). "The Archangel Israfil," from 'Aja'ib al-Makhluqat (The Wonders of Creation and Oddities of Existence), late 14th–early 15th century. Egypt or Syria. British Museum, London. © The Trustees of the British Museum | Valentin de Boulogne (French, 1591–1632). Samson (detail), 1631. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund (inv. 1972.50) | Diane Arbus (American, 1923–1971). Lady on a Bus, N.Y.C. (detail), 1957. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Danielle and David Ganek, 2005 (2005.493.11). © The Estate of Diane Arbus | Kerry James Marshall (American, b. 1955). Untitled (Studio), 2014. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation Gift, Acquisitions Fund and The Metropolitan Museum of Art Multicultural Audience Development Initiative Gift, 2015 (2015.366) | Jean Honoré Fragonard (French, 1732–1806). Rinaldo in the Enchanted Forest (detail), ca. 1763. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, Louis V. Bell, Harris Brisbane Dick, Fletcher, and Rogers Funds and Joseph Pulitzer Bequest; Guy Wildenstein Gift; The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund; Kristin Gary Fine Art Gift; and funds from various donors, 2009 (2009.236)