Metropolitan Museum of Art Books

Examines the Pre-Columbian, Colonial, Nineteenth Century, and Twentieth Century periods of Mexican art and artifacts

In a career spanning over six decades, the New York art dealer Pierre Matisse (1900–1989) contributed substantially to the advancement of modern art. At his eponymous gallery on East Fifty-seventh Street, he showed several now legendary artists for the first time outside Europe. The collection—paintings, sculpture, and drawings by Balthus, Bonnard, Chagall, Derain, Dubuffet, Giacometti, Magritte, Miró, and the dealer’s own father, Henri Matisse, among others—was donated to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2004 by the foundation established by his widow. These extraordinary artworks are presented with informative entries addressing the circumstances of each work’s creation and the dealer’s relationship to the artist. In the introduction, the story of Pierre Matisse’s early struggles in New York is told for the first time and illustrated with previously unpublished archival photographs.

The story of Christ's life, as conveyed through the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, has profoundly influenced art and culture for nearly two thousand years. These Evangelists' words have inspired countless masterpieces by writers, composers, and visual artists, creating a rich visual narrative that shapes our perception of Jesus and His life on Earth. This book presents a selection of significant moments from Christ's life, as described by the Evangelists and illustrated by artworks from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Arranged chronologically, it recounts this timeless story through a powerful combination of text and image, highlighting its drama and beauty. Each artwork is carefully chosen to accompany Gospel excerpts, showcasing the remarkable diversity of artistic interpretations of Christ's life. The collection features paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints, and stained glass and ceramics, primarily from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. This book is suitable for readers of all ages, meant to be cherished and revisited, making it a treasured gift for families throughout the year.

Showcase of cats featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, book illustrations, ceramics, lacquers & needlework. Illustrator: Grossman, Alvin, Published by Harry N. Abrams, Incl, N.Y. & Printed in Japan.

Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840), a major figure in the German Romantic movement, painted sublime works representing nature at its most melancholic and desolate. One of his most famous motifs was that of two intimate figures, seen from behind, gazing at the moon. Friedrich painted three versions of this theme, one of which -- Two Men Contemplating the Moon -- has recently been acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The book discusses the Metropolitan's painting in conjunction with the other two versions and a number of related paintings and drawings by Friedrich and his Dresden friends. It also presents fascinating details about the moon itself -- including what was known about it in Friedrich's lifetime and its presence and symbolism in contemporary Romantic poetry.

The first centuries of the Christian Era were marked by significant upheaval, transforming classical traditions through changes in political and social structures, warfare, and the rising influence of Christianity. While some historians view this as a decline of civilization, the art from this period reflects cultural experimentation. Artists moved away from classical realism yet continued to draw from the imagery of pagan and imperial Rome, creating works characterized by spiritual grace and abstraction. This innovative style emerged from the interaction of Eastern and Western Empires, various religions, and urban and provincial societies, shaping Byzantine and medieval artistic traditions. In November 1977, an extensive exhibition opened to the public, focusing on Late Antique and Early Christian art. It was the largest of its kind and recognized as one of the most significant educational exhibitions ever assembled by an art museum. Featuring 450 objects from over 110 institutions and private collections across fifteen countries, the exhibition presented this lesser-known period through five realms: Imperial, Classical, Secular, Jewish, and Christian. The diverse array of materials, styles, and techniques included delicate jewelry, carved ivory diptychs, rare manuscripts, monumental portraits, wall paintings, and floor mosaics. Architectural monuments, depicted in photomontage, offered insights into the lives of emperors an

Book by Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.)

French