Collection Areas
The Met's collection is divided among 19 curatorial departments. Each department comprises an exceptional array of art and artifacts, studied and cared for by dedicated curators and scholars. Explore our rich diversity of art spanning over 5,000 years.
African Art in The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
Spanning over three millennia of visual creativity, this department highlights the extraordinary artistic achievements of sub-Saharan Africa. The collection features masterpieces in wood, metal, ivory, and beadwork from great empires, royal courts, and thriving trade networks. Each object—from ceremonial masks to royal regalia—provides a window into the profound aesthetic traditions, belief systems, and social structures of diverse African cultures.
The American Wing
Home to the nation’s finest and most comprehensive collection of American art, this wing chronicles the creative spirit of the United States from the colonial period through the early twentieth century. Visitors can explore unparalleled holdings of painting, sculpture, and decorative arts—including iconic period rooms, breathtaking stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and celebrated masterpieces that define the American narrative.
Ancient American Art in The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
This collection represents the rich and diverse civilizations of the ancient Americas, spanning from 3000 B.C. to the 16th century A.D. Highlights include intricate Olmec jades, monumental Maya stone sculptures, exquisite Andean textiles, and masterfully crafted goldworks. These objects reveal the sophisticated cosmologies, advanced technologies, and vibrant societal structures that flourished prior to European contact.
Ancient West Asian Art
Dedicated to the cradle of civilization, this department showcases the art and artifacts of ancient Mesopotamia, Iran, Syria, Anatolia, and the Levant. With works ranging from the invention of writing in Sumer to the monumental reliefs of the Assyrian palaces, the collection vividly brings to life the ancient cities, powerful empires, and mythological traditions that shaped human history in the ancient Near East.
Arms and Armor
One of the Museum's most popular attractions, this department explores the universal human pursuit of martial excellence and courtly pageantry. The collection encompasses spectacular suits of armor, intricate swords, firearms, and equestrian equipment from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and America. These pieces are not merely weapons, but extraordinary works of sculptural art and feats of specialized engineering.
Asian Art
Encompassing over 5,000 years of history, The Met's Asian Art collection is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. It spans diverse cultures from the Indian subcontinent, the Himalayas, Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan. Highlights include sublime Buddhist sculptures, monumental Chinese landscape paintings, exquisite Japanese screens, and the serene Astor Chinese Garden Court.
The Costume Institute
A dynamic center for fashion history, The Costume Institute boasts a collection of more than 33,000 objects representing seven centuries of fashionable dress and accessories. From lavish 18th-century court gowns to cutting-edge contemporary haute couture, the department illustrates how clothing serves as a vital expression of personal identity, cultural shifts, and artistic innovation.
Drawings and Prints
This department oversees a vast and varied collection of works on paper, ranging from the early Renaissance to the present day. With hundreds of thousands of drawings, prints, and illustrated books, it features masterpieces by legends such as Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Goya, and Degas. These intimate works offer a unique, close-up look at the creative process and the evolution of graphic arts.
Egyptian Art
Housing one of the finest collections of ancient Egyptian art outside of Cairo, this department spans from the Predynastic period to the Roman occupation. The collection features stunning statues of pharaohs, intricate jewelry, beautifully painted funerary objects, and the majestic Temple of Dendur. It offers an unparalleled immersion into the mythology, daily life, and eternal aspirations of ancient Egypt.
European Paintings
This world-renowned collection surveys the brilliant evolution of European painting from the 13th to the early 20th century. It features defining masterworks of the Italian Renaissance, the Dutch Golden Age, and French Impressionism. Visitors can stand face-to-face with legendary canvases by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Velázquez, Caravaggio, Monet, and Van Gogh, experiencing the dramatic sweep of Western art history.
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Representing the height of European craftsmanship from the Renaissance through the early 20th century, this department showcases a spectacular array of sculpture, furniture, ceramics, glass, metalwork, and textiles. Highlights include opulent French period rooms, exquisite Renaissance bronzes, and masterful tapestries that illuminate the sophisticated tastes of European courts and elite society.
Greek and Roman Art
This collection traces the profound artistic legacy of the classical world, spanning from the Neolithic period through the fall of the Roman Empire. Masterpieces include pristine marble statuary, intricately painted Greek vases, luxurious Roman frescoes, and Hellenistic bronzes. These works reflect the enduring ideals of beauty, heroism, and civic life that laid the foundation for Western civilization.
Islamic Art
Spanning 1,300 years and a vast geographic expanse from Spain and Morocco to Central Asia and India, this collection celebrates the rich artistic heritage of the Islamic world. It features dazzling illuminated manuscripts, intricately woven carpets, masterful ceramics, and the stunning Moroccan Court. The art reflects a deep dedication to geometric precision, vibrant color, and exquisite calligraphy.
Medieval Art and The Cloisters
Divided between The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters in northern Manhattan, this collection encompasses the art of Europe from the decline of Rome to the dawn of the Renaissance. The holdings include magnificent Byzantine enamels, Gothic sculpture, soaring stained glass, and the legendary Unicorn Tapestries, all evoking the intense spirituality and feudal grandeur of the Middle Ages.
Modern and Contemporary Art
Documenting the radical transformations in art from 1900 to the present, this department features a diverse array of paintings, sculptures, and multi-media works. The collection highlights pivotal movements such as Cubism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, and Pop Art, featuring groundbreaking works by Picasso, Pollock, Warhol, and contemporary visionaries who continue to challenge aesthetic boundaries.
Musical Instruments
This unique collection features over 5,000 instruments from six continents, illustrating the universal human impulse to create music. The holdings range from ancient flutes and rare Stradivari violins to opulent harpsichords and rock-and-roll guitars. These instruments are celebrated not only for their acoustic brilliance but also as extraordinary examples of sculptural and decorative art.
Oceanic Art in The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
Dedicated to the vast Pacific region, this department showcases the striking artistic traditions of the islands of Oceania. The collection includes monumental spirit poles from New Guinea, intricate Polynesian woodcarvings, and ceremonial masks that embody ancestral spirits. These works are powerful expressions of social identity, spiritual belief, and deep connection to the natural world.
Photographs
Tracing the history of the medium from its invention in the 1830s to the digital present, this department houses a comprehensive collection of historic and contemporary photography. It includes pioneering early daguerreotypes, iconic photojournalism, and experimental fine art photography, offering a compelling visual record of the modern world and the evolution of photographic vision.
The Robert Lehman Collection
One of the most distinguished private art collections ever assembled in the United States, this wing presents a spectacular array of European paintings, drawings, and decorative arts. The collection is particularly celebrated for its Italian Renaissance panel paintings, early Netherlandish masterpieces, and exceptional Post-Impressionist works, all displayed in galleries designed to evoke the ambiance of a private residence.