The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Term Paper Example

 I. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Upon visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one must be familiar with its exact location. The museum is found in its current address: Metropolitan Museum of Art 1000 5th Avenue New York, N. Y. 10028-0198 United States The metropolitan Museum of Art may be found near the Central Park. Upon going there, one must enter the W. 79th Street from the Henry Hudson Pkwy. They must turn left to the Central Park West and turn to E 79st Transverse Road after reaching the 81st St -Museum of Natural History. At the end of the W 79st Transverse Road is the 5th Avenue in which the targeted museum is located. The map below provides an exact visual location of the interior of the museum: Map of the vicinity of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Source: http://www.planetware.com/map/metropolitan-museum-of-art-map-us-nymet_c.htm) The Importance of the Metropolitan Museum of Art The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides comprehensive collection of arts from different historical periods and cultures from every country, which makes it an important resource for history and archaeology. The museum can be used for academic purposes for major academic resources to reinforce data and documents on relevant subjects. Thus, its importance lies in the fact that students, teachers, professors, art enthusiasts, archaeologists, and historians can utilize the museum for some exploration of knowledge that would aid research. The museum can likewise provide entertainment and knowledge to tourists who decide to visit it. A Brief History of the Metropolitan Museum of Art The Metropolitan Museum of Art is located in New York City and was designed by Richard Morris in 1895 after being founded in 1870 by a group of civic leaders, philanthropists, and artists. The conception of the museum began in 1866 when a group of Americans gathered at a restaurant in Paris, France to celebrate the American Independence Day on that Fourth of July. They came up with a proposition to establish a national institution and gallery of art and convinced American civic leaders, art collectors, and philanthropists to participate in the project. In 870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art was finally established which was housed in two different locations in New York City. The first was in 681 Fifth Avenue which was later moved to 128 West 14th Street.1 It includes European paintings on display, an unparalleled Egyptian gallery, and Asian art, sculpture, photography, and armory in its more than 1.5 million square feet of exhibition space. More than 2 million works of art are kept in the museum, spanning 5,000 years of culture from different parts of the world and from different historical periods.2 The aim and thrust of the museum is to educate the public and cultivate a high standard of artistic taste. The museum does not merely aim to establish a great collection of art objects, but to pursue and develop the study of the fine arts. The inspiring thought it carries is “Art for humanity’s sake.”3 The New York City owns and maintains the building in which the collection of the museum is housed.4 Major Collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art The major collections of the museum are the American decorative arts which range from the late 17th to the early 20th century; American paintings and sculptures such as California, an allegorical sculpture by Hiram Powers acquired in 1870; Ancient Near Eastern Art which represents the Neolithic period and the end of Late Antiquity; Arts of Africa, Oceania, and Americas; Asian Art which is considered the most comprehensive in the West; Egyptian Art uncovered through the museum’s own archaeological explorations; and European paintings numbering around 2,200 pieces such as the works of Vermeer, Van Gogh, and Rembrandt. European sculpture and decorative arts are also found in the museum, as well as Greek and Roman Art and Islamic Art.5 An Artwork Found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: Nok Terracotta Nok Terracotta is one of the excavated artworks housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These terracottas were excavated in the tin mining in the vicinity of the village of Nok in Nigeria in 1943 and currently occupy an important space in the history of African art.6 They are witnesses to an undiscovered tradition that have preceded terracotta arts. Below is an image of Nok terracotta titled “Seated Dignitary.” 7 Seated Dignitary, c. 250 B.C. Nok People, Africa, Eastern Nigeria, Nok Plateau Fired Clay; H. 36 1/4 x W. 10 7/8 x D.14 in. Fired clay from local clay and gravels are the medium used for these artworks and there are no records of specific artists for these arts but African tribes themselves who undertook the pieces of works. Every Nok head is unique and throughout the body of the work and has stylistic designs. Bold, abstracted features characterize the male and female figures, with their triangular eyes, pierced pupils, noses, ears, and mouths.8 The designs are embodiments of cultivated devotion to body ornamentation by the very artists who made them. Some figures depict suffering from certain ailments and are pictured as diseased. The Nok Terracottas are selected in this paper for a specific artwork found at the metropolitan Museum of Art since it has captivated me with its beguiling existence in world history as a symbol of a culture in early African civilization. The terracottas depict a way of life in which body ornaments are apparently common among African people at that time, along with diseases such as elephantiasis which assailed the community. They also depict the political life of people in which dignitaries were respected and given high regard based on the carvings of them, such as the one above. II. The National Palace Museum When one decides to visit the National Palace Museum, he/she has to take the Zhongshan N. Road leading to north of Tianmu. They have to turn east upon reaching the Zhishan Road and track that road until the destination is reached. The exact address of the museum is listed below: National Palace Museum 221 Chih-shan Rd. Sec. 2, Shih-lin, Taipei 11143 Taiwan Below is a map that will point one towards the direction of the museum: Map of the vicinity of the National Palace Museum (Source: http://www.go2taiwan.net/upload/client/NPM-map.jpg) A Brief History of the National Palace Museum in Taiwan The National palace Museum is an art museum located in Taipei City in Northern Taiwan, which is considered one of the largest art museums in the world. Ancient Chinese artifacts and artworks abound in over 650,000 pieces of permanent collection in which most are quality pieces from China’s ancient emperors.9 The museum was initially established in Beijing as the Palace Museum on October 10, 1925 shortly after the oust of Puyi, China’s last emperor. The cultural articles in the museum are generally valuables of the former Imperial family which were transferred from one place to another during the periods of 1930s-1940s to prevent them from being taken by the Japanese Imperial Army during WWII. During the period of Communism in China, the museum was split into two – one in Beijing, called “Beijing Gugong,” and another one in Taipei, called “Taipei Gugong.” Importance of the National Palace Museum The National Palace Museum serves its importance in the vast collections of Chinese art stemming from the early Chinese civilizations witnessed by different dynasties. These dynasties are relived in the artifacts and articles found in the museum. They serve as direct sources of historical research in the Chinese tradition and eastern art. An Artwork from the National Palace Museum: “Picture of a Palace Concert by a Yuan” The artwork housed at the museum chosen for this paper is “Picture of a Palace Concert by a Yuan” by unknown artist painted during the T’ang Dynasty (618-907). The mediums used are ink and colors on silk, painted on a hanging scroll measuring 48.7 x 69.5 cm. Below is the photo of the painting. (Source: http://www.npm.gov.tw/en/collection/selections_02.htm?docno=11&catno=15) The painting shows ten ladies sitting around a rectangular table, who happen to be part of the inner court. Some of them drink tea while other preferred wine. The fours figures at the far end are playing musical instruments such as flute, pipes, lute, and zither.10 Two of the women are servant girls among whom one serves as a clapper to keep beat of the music. The painting leaves no signature of the artist and despite its title having a phrase “by a Yuan,” the specific artist who painted it is still unknown. The reason why this painting was selected in this paper is because of its enchanting content that depicts traditional Chinese women and culture. It is as amazing to see an actual photo of a painting undertaken during a known period in world history, particularly the T’ang Dynasty. The Louvre Museum in Paris, France When visiting the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, one must take the Peripherique Road and must make a turn to the Seine Road. Upon passing the famous Eiffel Tower, one would then see the museum in the end. The museum can be found in the exact address shown below: Musee du Louvre Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France. A map below shows the Louvre Museum which takes the legend ‘number 1’: Map of the vicinity of Louvre Museum, Paris, France (Source: http://www.paris.org/Maps/MM/) A Brief History of the Louvre Museum The Louvre Museum was built in 1793 and dominates central Paris. It was named after the French fortress called the Louvre which was built in order to protect the city from the Anglo-Norman threat. The Palais du Louvre currently houses stunning collections of artworks, which had been known as the museum. This building was witness to almost seven hundred years of residency by different kings and emperors of France. 11 The Importance of the Louvre Museum The Louvre Museum serves as a seat of the arts in France in which academicians, historians, archaeologists, and art enthusiasts can visit in pursuing their different purposes. Its importance is seen in its having to house the oldest remnants of history and cultural objects that have played a major role in the European civilization and in the world. Major Works Found in the Louvre Museum Major works found in the museum are significantly renowned works of art, such as the Venus de Milo, the Victory of Samothrace, and Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa which was painted in the early period of 16th century. The Statuette of King Khufu: Chosen Artwork The artwork chosen for this paper housed by Louvre Museum is the Statuette of King Khufu from the art of Egypt’s Old Kingdom (circa 2780-2134).12 The art was generally created by Egyptians for religious purposes, treated in an idealistic style but with sense of realism for private statuary. The statues and paintings that developed during this period present artistic depth, matched with religious air, portraying cults of the gods, kings, and the dead.13 The statuette of King Khufu (2609 BC - 2584 BC) is featured with idealistic features designed to portray royalty as physically strong with softened features. The statuette is considered the smallest piece of Egyptian sculpture ever discovered. Its medium is ivory and measures 7.5 cm (3 inches) with no account of the specific sculptor ever found.14 Below is the photo of the statuette, which can be visited at the Louvre Museum: Small ivory statue of King Khufu 7.5 cm /3 inches (Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/khufu.shtml) The reason for choosing the statuette of King Khufu for this paper is because of the king’s famous leadership in the establishment of the Pyramid of Giza. Depicting the statuette in this paper is almost likened to being reminded of the time when the Egyptians built pyramids for worship and for burying their dead, which are now prime tourist attractions. Conclusion The three museums depicted in this paper gave us a virtual tour of the artworks found in each of them alongside the rich history of the nations in which they are part. The Metropolitan Museum of Art shows a comprehensive collection of American artworks as well as different ones from across the world. The chosen artwork for this museum, the Nok Terracottas, depict of an African art that existed during an antiquated period in African history. The National Palace Museum, on the other hand, showcases various artworks from different Chinese dynasties ranging from vases to porcelains and paintings. The painting titled, “A Picture of a Palace Concert by a Yuan” depicts a traditional get-together by women who enjoy traditional tea and wine, which was undertaken during the T’ang Dynasty. The Louvre Museum of Paris is witness to popular paintings in Europe, such as the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci. The museum itself houses the oldest and spectacular woks of art in the world. I would certainly recommend these three museums to friends, family, peers, and community at large because of their amazing and comprehensive content that would surely take us back to a period of several centuries ago. Seeing and experiencing them ads to our cultural progress in which we continue to play a part in our own period and history. Works Cited Eckenstein, Lina. The Purpose and Value of Ancient Egyptian Art (The Burlington Magazine for Connoisseurs. The Burlington Magazine Publications, Ltd., December 1905)Vol. 8, No. 33, pp. 164-172. [http://www.jstor.org/stable/856551 Louvre. http://www.louvre.fr/llv/musee/histoire_louvre.jsp?bmLocale=en Tyldesley, Joyce. Who Was Khufu? . Dig 8.7, MasterFILE Premier September 2008. Metropolitan Museum of Art. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761560817/metropolitan_museum_of_art.html Metropolitan Museum of Art: Its Aim and History. http://www.oldandsold.com/articles20/met-museum-1.shtml Mona Lisa .http://www.louvre.fr/llv/dossiers/detail_oal.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673229908&CURRENT_LLV_OAL%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673229908&bmLocale=en National Palace Museum . http://tourguide.sinotour.com/scenery151.html Nok Terracottas (500 b. c. – 200 a. d.). http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/nok/hd_nok2.htm Salima, Ikram and Kamrin, Janice.. The Sole Survivor. (MasterFILE Premier. 24.10 (July 2008): 8-13.) EBSCO. Tyldesley, Joyce. Who Was Khufu? (dig 8.7, MasterFILE Premier September 2008), p. 8-9 (MasterFILE Premier. 8.7 (September 2008): 8-13.) EBSCO. Read More