Page 188 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - New York City

186  NE W Y ORK ci TY AREA B Y AREA

6 The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Founded in 1870 by a group of artists
and philanthropists who dreamed of an
American art institution to rival those of
Europe, this collection is thought to be the
most comprehensive in the Western world.
Works date from prehistoric times to the
present. The museum opened here in 1880
and houses collections from all continents. The entrance of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Greek and Roman galleries on the first
floor are especially popular.
Ground floor

. Jeanne
Hébuterne (1919)
Amedeo Modigliani’s
mistress, Hébuterne,
appears in over 20 of
his works. She killed
herself the day after
he died in 1920.

Mezzanine
floor
Pendant Mask
The kingdom of Benin (now part
of Nigeria) was renowned for its
art. This mask was made in the Key
16th century.
The American wing
Gallery Guide Art of Africa, Oceania,
and the Americas
Most of the collections are housed
on the two main floors. Works Arms and armor
from 19 curatorial areas are in Egyptian art
the permanent galleries, with European sculpture and
designated sections for temporary decorative arts
exhibitions. Central on the first Greek and Roman art
and second floors are European Medieval art
painting, sculpture, and Modern and Contemporary art
decorative arts. The Costume
Institute is situated on the ground Seated Man with Harp Robert Lehman Collection
level, directly below the Egyptian This statuette was made Special exhibitions
galleries on the first floor. in the Cyclades c.2800 BC. Non-exhibition space

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