Leonard A. Lauder Research Center for Modern Art
About Us
A catalyst for scholarship on modernism across media, disciplines, and geographies, the Research Center mission is to foster the understanding and appreciation of modern art, including Cubism, its origins and influence.
Founded in 2013 by Leonard A. Lauder and a group of anonymous donors, the Center supports publications and programs, such as study days and film screenings. As well as online archives and research projects, it also organizes focused research exhibitions linked to works in the Leonard A. Lauder Cubist Collection. The Center’s Advisory Committee invites Distinguished Scholars to the Center, and awards fellowships, enabling scholars to pursue their own work. The Center promotes a dynamic, open, and lively research culture with its community of pre-doctoral, post-doctoral, and mid-career fellows, who meet together to discuss their writing, projects, and ideas. They participate in The Met fellowship program, engaging with the museum’s collections, and gaining behind the scenes insights.
FEATURED
Long Films for Long Nights: Culloden
How can film capture the experiences of people caught up in history? Join The Met’s Leonard A. Lauder Research Center for Modern Art for the final showing in its series of film screenings examining this year’s theme, “Faces in the Crowd.”
Research Resources
Research the Leonard A. Lauder Cubist Collection, held by the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art, including works by Georges Braque, Juan Gris, Fernand Léger, and Pablo Picasso.
Research Project
This digital research project brings together—for the first time—interactive scans of two versions of an artist’s book: La Fin du monde filmée par l’Ange N.-D. (The End of the World Filmed by the Angel of Notre Dame), written by poet Blaise Cendrars and illustrated by artist Fernand Léger in 1919.
Index
A collaboratively authored directory of entities and individuals that made significant contributions to the promotion and dissemination of international modern art.
Funding for Research
Scholars at The Center
Learn about our current and past cohorts of pre-doctoral, post-doctoral, and senior Fellows and their work while in residence in the Research Center.
Each year, we appoint one Distinguished Scholar, by invitation only, to contribute to the intellectual life of the Research Center and work in residence at the Museum.
Articles, Audio, and Video
Featured
Video
A close examination of The Met’s luxury copy of the printed book and original artist’s maquette for La Fin du monde.
June 8
Video
Join Frederic Schwartz as he examines the little-known early ventures of major German author Peter Weiss.
April 3
Video
Reading Modern Art is a new series featuring lively discussion about a new book, with the author and experts in the field.
Gennifer Weisenfeld
November 13, 2025
The Latest
Upcoming Events
Please join us for our winter film series Long Films for Long Nights on February 26, 2027.
No upcoming events
Check back soon for information about upcoming events.
Exhibitions
More Research at The Met
The Research Center is made possible by a major donation from Leonard A. Lauder, and by other donors who prefer to remain anonymous.