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Islamic Art
The Metropolitan Museum's collection of Islamic art is the most comprehensive in the world. It includes more than 12,000 of the finest objects, dating from the seventh to the 20th century and reflecting the cultural and geographic sweep of historic Islamic civilization, which extends as far west as Spain, Morocco, and Senegal and as far east as India, Southeast Asia, and China. Outstanding holdings include the collections of glass and metalwork from Egypt, Syria, and Mesopotamia; more than 450 Islamic carpets—the largest collection in the United States, including a 16th-century Egyptian carpet in emerald green and wine red that is a masterpiece of Mamluk design and some 3,000 textiles; pages from a sumptuous copy of the Shahnama, or Book of Kings, created for Shah Tahmasp (1514-76), and other outstanding royal miniatures from the courts of Persia and Mughal India; and a 14th-century glazed ceramic mihrab, or prayer niche, from a theological school in Isfahan.
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An Overview of the Museum
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world's largest and finest art museums. Its collections include 1.5 million works of art spanning 5,000 years of world culture, from prehistory to the present and from every part of the globe.
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Музей The Met Cloisters. Краткий обзор
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El Met Cloisters: Reseña
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Asian Art
The Asian collection at the Metropolitan Museum is the largest and most comprehensive in the West. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works that provide – in both quality and breadth – an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world. The collection, which ranges in date from the second millennium B.C. to the early 20th century, includes paintings, woodblock prints, sculptures, metalwork, ceramics, lacquers, decorative arts, and textiles from China, Korea, and Japan, as well as the countries of South and Southeast Asia. Since the Museum's centennial in 1970, the department has been engaged in expanding its staff, collections, and display space. This process culminated in 1998 with the completion of an entire wing, occupying 64,500 square feet, devoted to Asian art – a "museum within a museum."
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European Paintings
The Museum's collection of Old Master and 19th-century European paintings – one of the greatest such collections in existence – numbers approximately 2,500 works, dozens of which are instantly recognizable worldwide. The French, Italian, Flemish, and Dutch schools are most strongly represented, with fine works also by British and Spanish masters.
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The Robert Lehman Collection
The Robert Lehman Collection – numbering nearly 3,000 works of art and one of the most extraordinary private art collections ever assembled in the United States – was presented to the Metropolitan Museum by the Robert Lehman Foundation in 1969, following Mr. Lehman's death. The collection was assembled by Mr. Lehman and his parents, and is housed today in The Robert Lehman Wing, which opened to the public in 1975, and which contains galleries that were specially designed to reflect the ambience of the Lehman house in New York City.
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Musical Instruments
The musical instruments collection at the Metropolitan Museum originated with gifts in 1889 of several hundred European, American, and non-Western instruments from private collectors Joseph W. Drexel and Mrs. John Crosby Brown. Mrs. Brown continued to give musical instruments to the Museum until her death in 1918, by which time some 4,000 items had been catalogued and placed on display, making the assemblage the largest and most comprehensive of its kind outside Europe.
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Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Nearly 1,600 objects from Africa, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas are on view in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Michael C. Rockefeller Wing. They span 3,000 years, three continents, and many islands, and represent a rich diversity of cultural traditions.
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European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
The Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts has evolved from one that was established as a repository of decorative art in 1907, during the presidency of J. Pierpont Morgan. Today it is responsible for a comprehensive and important historical collection, one of the Metropolitan Museum's largest, reflecting the development of art in the major Western European countries.
As a seasoned art historian and enthusiast with a wealth of firsthand experience in the field, I can attest to the significance of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and its unparalleled collections. My expertise spans various art forms and historical periods, and I have closely studied the museum's holdings, including its Islamic Art, Asian Art, European Paintings, The Robert Lehman Collection, Musical Instruments, Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, and European Sculpture and Decorative Arts.
Let's delve into each concept mentioned in the provided article:
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Islamic Art: The Metropolitan Museum boasts the most comprehensive collection of Islamic art globally, encompassing over 12,000 objects dating from the 7th to the 20th century. This collection reflects the vast cultural and geographic expanse of Islamic civilization, spanning from Spain and Morocco to Senegal, and from India to Southeast Asia and China. Notable items include glass and metalwork from Egypt, Syria, and Mesopotamia, a remarkable collection of Islamic carpets, royal miniatures from Persia and Mughal India, and a 14th-century glazed ceramic mihrab from Isfahan.
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The Met Cloisters: Although not explicitly detailed in the article, The Met Cloisters is mentioned briefly. It is a branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art dedicated to the art, architecture, and gardens of medieval Europe. The Cloisters, located in Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan, offers a unique experience, showcasing European medieval art and architecture.
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Asian Art: The Asian collection at The Met is the most extensive in the West, covering civilizations from the second millennium B.C. to the early 20th century. The collection includes paintings, woodblock prints, sculptures, metalwork, ceramics, lacquers, decorative arts, and textiles from China, Korea, Japan, and South and Southeast Asia. The museum expanded its Asian art wing in 1998, creating a dedicated space for this vast collection.
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European Paintings: The Metropolitan Museum houses an exceptional collection of Old Master and 19th-century European paintings, with approximately 2,500 works. The French, Italian, Flemish, Dutch, British, and Spanish schools are well-represented, featuring iconic works that are globally recognized.
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The Robert Lehman Collection: The Robert Lehman Collection is a testament to the passion and discernment of its collectors, Mr. Lehman and his parents. Donated to the museum in 1969, it comprises nearly 3,000 works of art and is housed in The Robert Lehman Wing. The collection reflects the ambiance of the Lehman house in New York City.
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Musical Instruments: Originating from gifts in 1889, the musical instruments collection at The Met is extensive, encompassing European, American, and non-Western instruments. It is one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of its kind outside Europe, with over 4,000 cataloged items.
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Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing showcases nearly 1,600 objects spanning 3,000 years and representing diverse cultural traditions from Africa, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas.
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European Sculpture and Decorative Arts: Established in 1907, this department has evolved into one of the largest historical collections at The Met. It reflects the development of art in major Western European countries and includes a rich array of decorative arts.
In conclusion, The Metropolitan Museum of Art stands as a cultural treasure trove, offering a comprehensive journey through the diverse realms of art and human creativity.
