ticketsMember | Make a donation

Mrs. N's Palace

Louise Nevelson American, born Ukraine
1964–77
Not on view
Nevelson loved New York, describing the city as "my mirror." This sculpture composed of more than one hundred seemingly disparate but interconnected objects absorbs and emanates her spirit and that of her adopted home. Her largest work, it took thirteen years to complete and was unveiled on her eightieth birthday. The charismatic Nevelson is the "Mrs. N" of the title, the monarch of this massive structure that is both environment and monument, recalling grand memorials and tombs as well as intimate, private spaces. Nevelson was captivated by the beauty she found in discarded materials and urban detritus, tenderly composing, layering, and painting her "found objects" until they shed their skin, reborn as art. Here, it is forgotten things found by chance that together make up the whole—perhaps a metaphor for the city, even for life.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Mrs. N's Palace
  • Artist: Louise Nevelson (American (born Ukraine), Kiev 1899–1988 New York)
  • Date: 1964–77
  • Medium: Painted wood, mirror
  • Dimensions: 11 ft. 8 in. × 19 ft. 11 in. × 15 ft. (355.6 × 607.1 × 457.2 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Gift of the artist, 1985
  • Object Number: 1985.41.1–.205
  • Rights and Reproduction: © 2025 Estate of Louise Nevelson / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
  • Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Poncho, Louise Nevelson American, born Ukraine, silk, cotton, American
Poncho
Louise Nevelson
1965–75
Untitled, from the "New York Collection for Stockholm" Portfolio
Multiple artists/makers
1973
Cityscape
Louise Nevelson
1981
Untitled
Multiple artists/makers
1963
Necklace, Louise Nevelson American, born Ukraine, stone, wood, ivory, American
Necklace
Louise Nevelson
ca. 1972

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.