Metadata and Collections Librarian William Blueher examines some of the striking fashion illustrations in Watson Library's digital collections.

Curator Jeff L. Rosenheim showcases the first daguerreotypes made of a total solar eclipse, by photographers William and Frederick Langenheim.

Artist Dia Batal reflects on a Syrian tile panel with calligraphic inscription in this episode of The Artist Project.

The Department of Musical Instruments announces the closure of its galleries for a yearlong renovation project, and invites readers to stay in touch with the department across a number of digital channels.

One hundred and forty years ago today, The Metropolitan Museum of Art made its first purchase of works of art—a group of 174 European old master paintings that became known as the "Purchase of 1871."

Metropolitan Museum conservator Rachel Mustalish makes discoveries beneath the surface of this 1906 drawing, including a link to Pablo Picasso's iconic portrait of Gertrude Stein.

"Does a collector ever stop collecting?" Leonard A. Lauder on Juan Gris's "Still Life with Checked Tablecloth."

"Creating the Cloisters," the spring issue of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin written by curator Timothy B. Husband, is an engaging and nuanced narrative of the early history of The Cloisters. As a complement to that narrative, I'd like to review the more recent gallery renovations and reinstallations that have been undertaken, all guided by the principle of maintaining the integrity of the original architectural vision of The Cloisters.

Violinist Johnny Gandelsman performs Bach’s Sonata No. 2 as part of a weeklong residency at The Met Cloisters.