The Metropolitan Museum of Art Guide Revised Edition [Hardcover]

Philippe de Montebello (Author), Phillip de Montebello (Author)

Book Description

Series: Metropolitan Museum of Art Series | Publication Date: 2000

This is a revised edition of the guide to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The guide describes the museum's vast collections and its buildings, including the Cloisters, and includes nearly 900 works of art from the museum's 18 curatorial departments, selected by the director of the museum, Philippe de Montebello. The works of art illustrated in the book range from the art of the ancient world to that of the present day. The concise format of the guide, its informative text and many illustrations, make it a handy companion to those visiting the museum, and a useful addition to the art-lover's library.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 470 pages
• Publisher: Metropolitan Museum of Art; 2 edition (2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300085583
• ISBN-13: 978-0300085587
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #423,401 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Survey of Art in addition to a Fine Museum Guide, November 6, 2005

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Guide Revised Edition (Hardcover)

Before committing a couple of days to museum hopping while in New York City, a word to the wise: this book is a must for understanding the scope of the collection of the paintings, drawings, sculpture, architectural renderings, relics - everything that makes the Metropolitan Museum one of the most 'compleat' collections in the world.

Yes, the book does show outlines of the museum's layout to facilitate the enjoyment of the various sections. But more important than that, this is a compendium of examples of some of the finest art in collection. The reproductions are excellent with all of the data needed to give a brisk brush up on not only the work illustrated but the timeframe incidentals that make the Metropolitan such a user friendly museum.

Whether for the personal library or for the perfect gift for art lovers, 'The Metropolitan Museum of Art Guide' in this revised form is highly recommended. Grady Harp, November 05

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Memories to cherish forever!, May 31, 2008

By 

Paul Weiss (Dundas, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Guide Revised Edition (Hardcover)

Like the Louvre in Paris, the Metropolitan Museum is a fabulously wealthy storehouse of incalculable value, "a living encyclopedia of world art. Every culture from every part of the world - from Florence to Thebes to Papua New Guinea - from the earliest times to the present and in every medium", "frequently at the highest levels of quality and invention", is represented. Also like the Louvre, its holdings are immense - "more than three million works of art, of which several hundred thousand are on view."

The guide, organized in the same fashion as the museum, suffers only by its inability to represent the museum completely. Choices had to be made. How incredible is it that the museum holds thirty paintings by Monet and the editors of the guide were forced to choose only four? How many museums in the world could lay claim to having five paintings by an artist as illustrious as Vermeer and yet be limited to including only three in their guide?

Having been fortunate enough to indulge in a recent visit to the museum, I can tell you that all five works by Vermeer and all thirty by Monet were as magnificent as one might imagine. The guide (a wonderful way to prepare in advance for any upcoming visit) will serve as a memorable souvenir and the descriptive text written by the curatorial staff of the museum will serve to elucidate the history and context of the individual pieces of art that were chosen to best represent the museum as a whole.

Highly recommended as a way of enjoying the world's art even if you think you will never be in a position to enjoy the visit in person.

Paul Weiss

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Guide To One of The Great Museums, February 12, 2006

By 

Shannon Deason (Houston) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Guide Revised Edition (Hardcover)

Phillipe de Montebello is one of the top museum directors in the world, thus he runs America's greatest museum. This guide is perfect, it allows you to get a feel for this singular museum and its extensive, to say the least, collection. So much is packed into this guide, every area of this vast collection is hit upon, and most importantly it helps you navigate this HUGE building, if you are going to tackle this emmense museum then you MUST have his guide, it really helps you make the most of your visit. It is well worth the investment, I advise getting it well before you go to the museum and read it thoroughly, it will make your trip so much more enjoyable and worthwhile I assure you..it's like taking the museum director with you..in your back pocket...though at five hundred pages you may need a uh, large back pocket...at anyrate it's easier that putting Phillipe in there, verdad?