NY-MET I (2018)
Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) is one of the famous museums in the world. It is located on 1000 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, NY. It is a National Historic Landmark. Seven million people visited the museum in 2016. The floor space is 2 million sq. ft. There are 17 departments. Wikipedia gives the following list of curatorial departments and the number of art pieces in each department.
1. Egyptian art- 26,000
2 Greek and Roman art- 17,000
3. European sculpture and decorative arts- 50,000
4. Medieval art and the Cloisters- 14,000 (Cloisters is in another location, Fort Tyron Park)
5. Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas- 3000
6. American Wing- 1,700
7. Arms and Armor- 14,000
8. Robert Lehman Collection- 2,600
9. Modern and contemporary art-13,000
10. European paintings- 1,700
11. Ancient Near Eastern art- 7,000 pieces
12. Asian art- 35,000
13. Islamic art- 12,000
14. Photographs- 25,000
15. Drawings and prints- 17,000 and 1.5 million
16. Musical instruments- 5,000
17. Costume Institute- 15,000
First nine departments, all except Cloisters, is predominantly located on the first floor of the museum. Seven other departments are in the second floor. Costume institute is situated in the ground floor. Last weekend I went to MET and this album covers a part of the first floor of the museum. I toured around Egyptian art, Greek and Roman art, European sculpture and Medieval art. Album photos are mine but the descriptions are from MET website. You can refer to the fantastic “MET Collection” website for additional information on 450,000 items.
MET is a national treasure. It is also “the museum of the world, representing five thousand years of visual culture from every corner of the globe”.,

Metropolitan Museum of ArtEntrance at 1000 5th Avenue

Great Hall with a colossal Greek statue

Statue of Athena ParthenosPeriod:HellenisticDate:ca. 170 B.C.Culture:GreekMedium:MarbleWt:7716 lbLoan from Berlin Museum until 2018The impressive, 12-foot-tall, expertly carved colossal statue of Athena Parthenos originally stood in the Sanctuary of Athena—the goddess of knowledge and wisdom—in the ancient Hellenistic city of Pergamon (modern-day Bergama, Turkey). It is an adaptation of the famous 40-foot-tall, ivory and gold cult image of Athena by Pheidias that stood in the Parthenon in Athens.

Great Hall with a colossal Egyptian statue

Gateway to Egyptian wing is behind this statue-Seated statue of Amenemhat IIPeriod:Middle KingdomDynasty:Dynasty 12Reign:Amenemhat IIDate:ca. 1919–1885 B.C.Geography:From EgyptMedium:GranodioriteWt: 9 tons (20000 lb)Long term loan from Berlin Museum until 2021?During the Middle Kingdom (ca. 2030–1650 B.C.) colossal statues proliferated in ancient Egypt. Often created as pairs to flank the entrances to temples, or important sections of them, they served as guardians, presenting relatively accessible images of the ruler to his people.The king is represented wearing the royal headcloth (nemes) and a partly pleated kilt that is fastened by a girdle around his waist. In his right fist – now missing – he held a piece of cloth, an accouterment of upper class Egyptians, while the left hand lies flat on his thigh. His athletic body has broad shoulders, muscular arms, and powerful knees. With the breast proudly lifted and the abdominal musculature contracted, this ancient ruler seems to be inhaling: he is clearly ready to burst into action.

Mastaba Tomb of PernebPeriod:Old KingdomDynasty:Dynasty 5Reign:reigns of Isesi to UnisDate:ca. 2381–2323 B.C.Geography:From Egypt, Memphite Region, Saqqara, Tomb of Perneb, Egyptian Antiquities Service/Quibell excavationsMedium:Limestone, paintPerneb was a court official. He was buried under and a tomb monument was built above almost 4500 years ago. Egyptians believed life after death and the monument provides inscriptions to help the deceased in the next birth.

Hieroglyphics on the wall of a ritual hall inside the tomb

Box of an Anthropoid CoffinPeriod:New Kingdom, Ramesside or laterDynasty:Dynasty 20–21Date:ca. 1186–945 B.C.Geography:From Egypt; Said to be from Upper Egypt, ThebesMedium:Wood, paintOwner's name unknown

Yuny and His Wife RenenutetPeriod:New Kingdom, RamessideDynasty:Dynasty 19Reign:reign of Seti IDate:ca. 1294–1279 B.C.Geography:From Egypt, Middle Egypt, Asyut (Assiut, Siut; Lykopolis), Tomb of Amenhotep, Necropolis Cliff tomb, Medjdeni, Khashaba excavations, 1913Medium:Limestone, paintYuny and his wife belong to the ruling class. Yuny had medical responsibilities.

Estate FigurePeriod:Middle KingdomDynasty:Dynasty 12Reign:early reign of Amenemhat IDate:ca. 1981–1975 B.C.Geography:From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Southern Asasif, Tomb of Meketre (TT 280, MMA 1101), serdab, MMA excavations, 1920Medium:Wood, gesso, paintThis masterpiece of Egyptian wood carving was discovered in a hidden chamber at the side of the passage leading into the rock cut tomb of the royal chief steward Meketre.Striding forward with her left leg, the woman carries on her head a basket filled with cuts of meat. In her right hand she holds a live duck by its wings.

Nikare with his Wife and DaughterPeriod:Old KingdomDynasty:Dynasty 5Reign:reign of Niuserre or laterDate:ca. 2420–2389 B.C. or laterGeography:From Egypt; Probably from Memphite Region, SaqqaraMedium:Limestone, paintThis statue represents the granary official Nikare with his family. His wife, Khuennub, kneels at his left and a daughter, Khuennebti stands at his right.

Marble statue of a kouros (youth)Period:ArchaicDate:ca. 590–580 B.C.Culture:Greek, AtticMedium:Marble, NaxianClassification:Stone SculptureThis is one of the earliest marble statues of a human figure carved in Attica. The rigid stance, with the left leg forward and arms at the side, was derived from Egyptian art.

Sarcophagus of HarkhebitPeriod:Late Period, SaiteDynasty:Dynasty 26Date:595–526 BCGeography:From Egypt, Memphite Region, Saqqara, Tomb of HarkhebitMedium:GreywackeSarcophagus is stone coffin.Technically the sarcophagus is one of the masterpieces of late Egyptian hard-stone carving.Horkhebit was a "Royal Seal Bearer, Sole Companion, Chief Priest of the Shrines of Upper and Lower Egypt, and Overseer of the Cabinet" in early Dynasty 26.

Entrance to the Hall of Temple of Dendur. Central Park is seen thru the glass window.

Full view of Temple of Dendur.The temple was built by the Roman emperor Augustus during the time when Egypt was ruled by the Roman Empire. The temple honors the Egyptian goddess isis and two sons of a local ruler.Front building is the gate and the rear one is sanctuary. There is a Sphinx at the left corner.

The Temple of DendurPeriod:Roman PeriodReign:reign of Augustus CaesarDate:completed by 10 B.C.Geography:From Egypt, Nubia, Dendur, West bank of the Nile River, 50 miles South of AswanMedium:Aeolian sandstoneCredit Line:Given to the United States by Egypt in 1965, awarded to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1967, and installed in The Sackler Wing in 1978

Sphinx of HatshepsutPeriod:New KingdomDynasty:Dynasty 18Reign:Joint reign of Hatshepsut and Thutmose IIIDate:ca. 1479–1458 B.C.Geography:From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Senenmut Quarry, MMA excavations, 1926–28Medium:Granite, paintWt: 6758.6 kg (14900 lb.)This colossal sphinx portrays the female pharaoh Hatshepsut with the body of a lion and a human head wearing a nemes headcloth and royal beard.

Greek and Roman Gallary

Marble sarcophagus with the Triumph of Dionysos and the SeasonsPeriod:Late Imperial, GallienicDate:ca. A.D. 260–270Culture:RomanMedium:MarbleClassification:Stone SculptureThe sarcophagus is an exquisite example of Roman funerary art, displaying all the virtuosity of the workshop where it was carved.This highly ornate and extremely well-preserved Roman marble sarcophagus came to the Metropolitan Museum from England. The central figure is that of the god Dionysos seated on a panther, but he is somewhat overshadowed by four larger standing figures who represent the four Seasons (from left to right, Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall)

Fragmentary colossal head of a youthPeriod:HellenisticDate:2nd century B.C.Culture:GreekMedium:MarbleDimensions:22 13/16 × 17 11/16 × 20 7/8 in. (58 × 45 × 53 cm)Classification:Stone SculptureLoan from Berlin Musuem until 2018?The astonishingly realistic fragmentary marble head of a youth was originally part of a draped bust set in a marble roundel almost four feet in diameter. Representing a young god or perhaps Alexander the Great, and found on the upper terrace of the gymnasium at Pergamon, the work would have been one of a number of similar sculptures adorning the space. Because the bust was never exposed to the elements, the marble surface is remarkably fresh.

Marble head of Athena: The so-called Athena MediciPeriod:Mid-Imperial, Antonine periodDate:ca. A.D. 138–92Culture:RomanMedium:MarbleClassification:Stone SculptureCopy of a Greek statue of ca. 430 B.C. attributed to PheidiasThis head is from a fine Roman copy of an over-life-sized statue of the goddess Athena which has long been attributed to Pheidias, the most famous artist of that period.

Marble statue of Eirene (the personification of peace)Roman copy of Greek original by KephisodotosPeriod:Early Imperial, Julio-ClaudianDate:ca. A.D. 14–68Culture:RomanMedium:Marble, Pentelic ?Classification:Stone SculptureCopy of a Greek bronze statue of 375/374–360/359 B.C. by KephisodotosEirene, the daughter of Zeus and Themis, was one of the three Horai (Seasons), maidens closely associated with the fertility of the earth and the nurturing of children.

Marble sarcophagus lid with reclining couplePeriod:Imperial, SeveranDate:ca. A.D. 220Culture:RomanMedium:MarbleDimensions:length 91in. (231.1cm)Classification:Stone SculptureThe couple are shown as semidivine personifications of water (man) and earth (woman).

Marble Statue Group of the Three GracesPeriod:ImperialDate:2nd century A.D.Culture:RomanMedium:MarbleClassification:Stone SculptureRoman copy of a Greek work of the 2nd century B.C.These young girls, linked in a dance-like pose, represent The Three Graces: Aglaia (Beauty), Euphrosyne (Mirth), and Thalia (Abundance). They bestow what is most pleasurable and beneficent in nature and society: fertility and growth, beauty in the arts, harmonious reciprocity between men. They enjoyed venerable cults in Greece and Asia Minor.

Andromeda and the Sea MonsterArtist:Domenico Guidi (Italian, 1625–1701)Patron:Commissioned by Francesco II, Duke of Mantua and Reggio (Italian, 1660–1694) , who died before the sculpture's completionDate:1694Culture:Italian, RomeMedium:MarbleClassification:SculptureAndromeda is shown awaiting her delivery by the demigod Perseus from the jaws of the sea monster.

The Demidoff TableArtist:Lorenzo Bartolini (Italian, 1777–1850)Patron:Commissioned by Prince Anatole Demidov (1845–1870)Date:1845Culture:Italian, FlorenceMedium:MarbleClassification:SculptureGod Cupid is watching two kinds of people- wealthy without virtue sleeps well but the honest poor don't. Snore gesture for wealthy and dishonest ; head extended beyond the periphery of the world for the poor and honest.

The Demidoff TableArtist:Lorenzo Bartolini (Italian, 1777–1850)Patron:Commissioned by Prince Anatole Demidov (1845–1870)Date:1845Culture:Italian, FlorenceMedium:MarbleClassification:SculptureGod Cupid is watching two kinds of people- wealthy without virtue sleeps well but the honest poor don't. Snore gesture for wealthy and dishonest ; head extended beyond the periphery of the world for the poor and honest.

Venus ItalicaArtist:Workshop of Antonio Canova (Italian, Possagno 1757–1822 Venice)Date:probably ca. 1822–23, variant of marble first executed 1810Culture:Italian, RomeMedium:MarbleClassification:SculptureCanova's first marble Venus is in the Palazzo Pitti, Florence. Known as the Venus Italica, it was ordered in 1804 by Ludovico I, King of Etruria, as a replacement for the ancient Medici Venus that had been taken by the French for the Musée Napoleon.

European sculpture court

MarsyasArtist:Balthasar Permoser (German, Kammer, near Otting, Chiemgau, Bavaria 1651–1732 Dresden)Date:ca. 1680–85Culture:German, executed Rome or FlorenceMedium:Marble on a black marble socle inlaid with light marble panelsClassification:SculptureMarsyas challenged the god Apollo and lost. Here is the severity of his punishment '

Dante's Inferno Character-Ugolino and His SonsArtist:Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (French, Valenciennes 1827–1875 Courbevoie)Date:1865–67Culture:French, ParisMedium:Saint-Béat marblePedestal (wt. confirmed): 3759 lb. (1705.1 kg)Classification:SculptureFather and children- were condemned to death by starvation. Children are begging the father to eat them alive so that he can live.Father is simply biting his fingers. Sculpure is known for its body language.

Dante's Inferno Character-Ugolino and His SonsArtist:Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (French, Valenciennes 1827–1875 Courbevoie)Date:1865–67Culture:French, ParisMedium:Saint-Béat marblePedestal (wt. confirmed): 3759 lb. (1705.1 kg)Classification:SculptureFather and children- were condemned to death by starvation. Children are begging the father to eat them alive so that he can live.Father is simply biting his fingers. Sculpture is known for its body language.

Perseus with the Head of MedusaArtist:Antonio Canova (Italian, Possagno 1757–1822 Venice)Patron:Commissioned by Count Jan and Countess Valeria Tarnowski (Dzików, Poland)Date:1804–6Culture:Italian, RomeMedium:MarbleClassification:SculptureMedusa had the power to turn men into stones. Persues conquers her.

NightArtist:Aristide Maillol (French, Banyuls-sur-Mer 1861–1944 Perpignan)Founder:Alexis Rudier (French) , ParisDate:modeled 1902–9, cast date unknownCulture:FrenchMedium:BronzeClassification:Sculpture-BronzeModel is artist's wife. He wants to create plain and simple art without any exaggeration.

The Burghers of CalaisArtist:Auguste Rodin (French, Paris 1840–1917 Meudon)Founder:Coubertin FoundryDate:modeled 1884–95, cast 1985Culture:French, Saint-Rémy-lès-ChevreuseMedium:Bronze. Classification:Sculpture-BronzeIn 1347 six citizens of Calais offer themselves as hostages to the King of England to end the siege of their city.

Medeival Hall

Virgin and ChildArtist:Attributed to Claus de Werve (Netherlandish, active in France, ca. 1380–1439, active Burgundy, 1396–ca. 1439)Date:ca. 1415–17Geography:Made in Poligny, BurgundyCulture:FrenchMedium:Limestone with paint and gildingClassification:Sculpture-StoneIn this tender portrayal, Mary's role as a personification of Wisdom is evoked by the open book on Christ's lap.

The Last SupperDate:ca. 1500–1530Geography:Made in Cologne, Germany or NetherlandsCulture:German or South NetherlandishMedium:Limestone, traces of polychromyClassification:Sculpture-StoneThis scene of the Last Supper clearly shows each disciple, including Judas, who is seen at the lower right clutching his bag of money, a reference to his future betrayal.

Center:CrucifixArtist:Follower of the Master of RiminiDate:ca. 1450Geography:Made in NetherlandsCulture:South Netherlandish (?)Medium:AlabasterClassification:Sculpture-StoneLeft: Death of the Virgin, Alabaster, French, 1450-1500Floor: Mary Magdalen, Alabaster, 1420-1430Right:?-Rimini Master was a fifteenth century sculptor from Rimini, Italy.The angular drapery of the loincloth, the facial expression, and the linear treatment of the hair and beard of Christ suggest the sculptor was a follower of the Rimini Master.

Exiting the MET