The Met stopped me in my tracks the first time I walked through those doors. I was twenty-two, brand new to the city, and I wandered in on a rainy Tuesday because I didn’t know what else to do. Four hours disappeared. That was years ago and I still lose track of time every visit. If you’re planning a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, here’s what I think you absolutely can’t miss.
Keen to explore every inch of this masterpiece, my husband I purchased memberships three years ago and made a tradition of visiting on Sundays (we’ve been more than 50 times).
Home to more than 2 million artworks spanning 5,000+ years, the Met is the largest museum in the country and fifth largest museum in the world. Priority is the name of the game.
On that note, allow me to share my personal list of the best things to see at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Let’s get to it!
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Tips for Visiting The Met
Don’t rush the experience
As mentioned, the Met is the fifth largest museum in the world. Suffice it to say. there’s no way you can see everything during your first visit to the Met, so don’t rush the experience. Wander around slowly, read the descriptions, learn about the artists and enjoy the art.
Crowds are guaranteed
Averaging 6 million visitors per year, crowds are all but guaranteed (especially during rainy days and weekends). I suggest showing up around opening and having a game plan for the things you must see at The Met (use the list below for guidance).
The layout of the museum
The Met spans four floors and includes a rooftop terrace that has some of the best views of New York City. This handy interactive map makes it easier to get a lay of the land.
Love museums? You may enjoy. 15 EXCITING Museums in New York City (& What to See at Each)
Best Things to See at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
(Click Here for the Table of Contents)
Famous Art at the Met (Table of Contents)
- Tips for Visiting The Met
- Best Things to See at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- First, Let’s Discuss Famous Paintings at the MET
- Self Portrait With a Straw Hat
- Washington Crossing the Delaware
- The Death of Socrates
- The Denial of Saint Peter
- The Dance Class & Little Dancer
- Rembrandt Self-Portrait
- Aristotle with a Bust of Homer
- Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies
- A Study for “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte”
- Vermeer’s Painting
- Garden at Sainte-Adresse
- Must- See at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Apart from Paintings)
- Have More Time? More Great Things to See at The Met
- List of Famous Art at The MET in New York City (Post Overview)
- What to See at The Met in 2 Hours
- Visiting the Met (FAQs)
..
If I had to choose a single destination where I’d be held captive for the rest of my time in New York, I’d choose the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Tim Gunn
First, Let’s Discuss Famous Paintings at the MET
To make things easier, I’m breaking this list down into two sections. paintings + everything else. Since most folks end up visiting the Met for famous art, let’s cover the most famous paintings at The Metropolitan Museum of Art first.
Self Portrait With a Straw Hat
On par with Vincent van Gogh’s signature Neo-Impressionist technique and mastery of color, Self Portrait with a Straw Hat is must-see.
Van Gogh painted more than twenty self portraits during his sojourn in Paris in an effort to perfect his skills. Unable to afford a model, he used a mirror instead.
Too poor for frames as well, on the reverse side you’ll find a second portrait titled the Potato Peeler. Marred by dark shadows and heavy tones, the painting feels much sadder than his self portrait.
It’s hard to fathom van Gogh’s poverty today, but the artist wasn’t successful in his lifetime and died in debt. How ironic that his self portrait is one of the most famous artworks at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
“I purposely bought a good enough mirror to work from myself, for want of a model.”
Vincent Van Gogh
Washington Crossing the Delaware
Washington Crossing the Delaware commemorates the night of December 25, 1776 when General Washington and the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River in the midst of the Revolutionary War.
It was the first surprise attack (and subsequent victory) against Hessian forces (German soldiers serving in the British Army) at the Battle of Trenton.
Painted by Emanuel Leutze, there were three iterations of this famous painting, but only two survived. The first version was restored after a studio fire only to succumb to a bombing raid during World War II.
Of the two surviving paintings, one is housed at The Met and the other was displayed in the West Wing of the White House before being returned to the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in 2015.
The Death of Socrates
The story of Socrates is taught all over the world but it’s easy to forget the details, so here’s a (super) quick recap.
I never get tired of this view.
- Socrates (470-390 BC) was a venerable philosopher beloved by some and despised by others. He shared his wisdom freely, but was later accused of corrupting the youth and usurping the gods.
- As punishment, he was given two options. renounce his ideologies or die by hemlock. Socrates said something along the lines of “no takesy backsies” and pointed to the hemlock.
French artist Jacques Louis David depicts the profound scene in a piece he titled The Death of Socrates, which is based on Plato’s somber record of the event.
The painting illustrates a resolute Socrates accepting his fate as he reaches for the hemlock while his anguished disciples watch on in despair.
The painting is one of the most famous art pieces at The Met and it’s not hard to see why. Expertly painted, it can be mistaken for a photo. The play on light is also worth calling out, it’s nothing short of a masterpiece.
The Denial of Saint Peter
The biblical story of Saint Peter is riddled with deceit and betrayal. In the Denial of Saint Peter, Italian artist Carvaggio relies on heavy shadows and an expert play on light to encourage the eye to go exactly where intended (on Peter’s conflicting emotions).
Come early. Seriously. The crowds hit hard by noon.
The profound painting is full of symbolism. You may notice the three fingers pointing at Peter, this alludes to the three times he betrayed Jesus. You don’t need to be an art connoisseur to appreciate this famous painting at the Met.
Trust me. order whatever the person next to you is having.
The Dance Class & Little Dancer
The Dance Class is an art piece by French artist Edgar Degas. This famous MET painting highlights a group of ballerinas anxiously awaiting an examination while a stern instructor watches on. The opulent Paris Opéra peeks through the window, but unfortunately the building burned down a year before the painting was complete.
A companion piece to a painting at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, this considered Degas’ most ambitious work on theme of ballet. A jack of all trades, Degas was well known for his paintings and sculptures.
Next to the painting you’ll find a beautiful statue of a ballerina called Little Dancer of Fourteen Years. Take some time to admire the sculpture and try to figure out the story behind her facial expression.
Rembrandt Self-Portrait
Rembrandt’s mastery of portraits is undisputed, perhaps because the Dutch artist dedicated his life to perfecting the self portrait. It’s estimated that Rembrandt produced 80 self portraits in his lifetime, in addition to 50 paintings.
Of that, only 40 self portraits survived and the Met is lucky to have one. This particular painting was completed in 1660, when Rembrandt was 54 years old.
The wrinkled brow and sorrowed eyes give away the artist’s aging face and allude to the contemplative nature of his maturing mind. I find it fascinating that Rembrandt didn’t romanticize his appearance in a narcissistic fashion, but chose to be honest about his aging features.
This one of my favorite paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I think it’s worth a detour.
Aristotle with a Bust of Homer
Sticking to theme of Rembrandt masterpieces, Aristotle with a Bust of Homer is also a must see at The Met. Thankfully it’s located a few steps from Rembrandt’s Self Portrait, making it a natural next stop.
This iconic painting is considered one of the most celebrated paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, reason alone to visit. The portrait depicts a pensive Aristotle resting his hand on a bust of Homer, the legendary poet who achieved literary immortality through the Iliad and Odyssey.
Aristotle looks contemplative, which leads historians to assume Rembrandt was meditating his own legacy and the meaning of fame. The painting stays true to Rembrandt’s classic style of thick strokes and dark shadows, demanding careful study.
Local tip. Between you and me, the seasonal menu is always better than the regular one. Ask what’s fresh today.
Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies
Claude Monet was a man of many passions, most notably art and horticulture. His world-famous paintings shine a light on his adoration for nature, Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies is no exception.
Monet purchased an estate in Giverny, France and found himself smitten by the pond on the property. I’m not exaggerating, the man painted more than 250 variations of water lilies in his last thirty years.
Monet’s series on water lilies can be viewed at world-class museums all over the globe, with some folks even making pilgrimages to see as many as possible. As such, don’t miss an opportunity to see Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies, one of the most famous art pieces at the Met.
A Study for “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte”
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte is considered Georges Seurat’s finest work. It depicts a peaceful scene of Parisians leisurely enjoying a sunny day along the banks of the Seine River. What makes this famous Met painting unique is the technique used.
Look closely and you’ll notice the entire painting is comprised of tiny dots, which give the illusion of blending together when viewed from a distance. This technique was invented by Seurat and came to be known as Pointillism (from the French word for dot or point).
Seurat preferred the term Divisionism because he saw the method as separating colors into small touches that blend together when expertly painted side-by-side. As you can imagine, the painting took a lot of work!
The effort paid off because A Sunday on La Grande Jatte is considered the most remarkable painting of the 19th century. Seurat completed several “trial runs” before finalizing the official painting, which is displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago.
The Met houses a smaller (but still complete!) Study for “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte.” Needless to say, it’s a must-see at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Vermeer’s Painting
Vermeer was not well known during his lifetime and only 34 surviving paintings are confirmed to be his. The Met is home to five of those, more than any other museum in the world.
It seems that Vermeer fell into obscurity and wasn’t appreciated until the end of the 19th century. But now there’s a newfound appreciation for the artist and serious art connoisseurs make an effort to seek out his paintings. All five paintings are displayed side-by-side, giving you ample time to admire Vemeer’s mastery of light.
Garden at Sainte-Adresse
I’ve mentioned Monet’s most famous painting at the Met.Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies, but allow me to share my personal favorite by the artist, Garden at Sainte-Adresse.
Monet spent the summer of 1867 in Sainte-Addresse with his family where painted a few idyllic scenes of France’s picturesque coastline. In lieu of models, he used his family to depict leisurely summer days.
In Garden at Sainte-Adresse, his father wears the panama hat. The painting feels vastly different from Monet’s typical work and speaks to his adoration of Japanese art.
The colors are strikingly vivid and the scene feels obnoxiously cheery (even though the reality was anything but). Monet’s relationship with his father was tense because he disproved of Monet’s fiance. But alas, you wouldn’t know it based on this beautiful Met painting.
Must- See at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Apart from Paintings)
A common mistake some people make when visiting the Met for the first time is assuming the museum is mostly full of paintings. On the contrary, paintings are only half the draw!
Apart from art, you’ll find rare books, antiquated furniture, Egyptian relics and genuine armor, to name a few. Now that we’ve covered the most famous paintings at the Met, let’s take a look at more cool things to see at the Met.
Ugolino and His Sons
Ugolino and His Sons is a marble sculpture that evokes a devastating sense despair and torment. Produced by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, the scene is derived from Dante’s Inferno, which recounts Ugolino della Gherardesca’s imprisonment in 1288.
Ugolino, a prominent Italian nobleman and politician, was the head of the prominent Guelph family in Pisa, but his legacy is marred by betrayal and tragedy.
Accused of treason, Ugolino was imprisoned with his sons and grandsons in the Tower of Hunger (Torre della Fame) in Pisa. The keys were thrown away and the family was left to starve to death.
Dante’s portrayal of the event in the Inferno is gruesome and poignant. In Hell, Ugolino recounts to Dante the agony of his imprisonment and the death of his children. Driven by hunger, Ugolino claims the children begged him to eat their bodies if they died.
It’s unclear if Ugolino subjected himself to cannibalism but some argue the statue depicts the exact moment Ugolino contemplated the idea. His anguished eyes look into a distant void, ignoring the youth that cling to his feet.
Morbid, to be sure, and Carpeaux portrays the desperation flawlessly. Inspired by Michelangelo, the artist’s obsession with anatomical realism is hard to ignore. In fact, the expressive detail in this sculpture is credited for launching Carpeaux’s career.
The Temple of Dendur
The Temple of Dendur is one of the best things to see at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Why? Because it’s the only complete Egyptian temple in the Western Hemisphere.
The Temple of Dendur was built on the banks of the Nile River more than 2,000 years ago. Unfortunately, the area was flooded by the Aswan High Dam, so efforts were made to save the temple from destruction.
In recognition of the United States’ significant contributions to the UNESCO-led campaign to save historic sites from being submerged during the construction of the Aswan High Dam, the temple was bequthed to the US by Egypt.
Disassembled brick-by-brick (imagine!), the Temple of Dendur was shipped to New York, where it was reassembled inside a custom-designed wing of the Met and opened to the public in 1978.
The exhibit resembles the temple’s original location the banks of the Nile, complete with a reflecting pool that simulates the natural environment around the river. I consider the Temple of Dendur a must-see at The Met for first time visitors.
The Greek and Roman Sculpture Court
Swing by the Greek and Roman Sculpture Court to find yourself engulfed in a sea of breathtaking marble statues. Home to more than 30,000 works dating between 4500 B.C. to A.D. 312, the sculpture court is one of the most interesting things to see at the Met.
Notable statues include.
- Marble statue of a wounded warrior
- Marble column from the Temple of Artemis at Sardis
- Marble Statue Group of the Three Graces
Arms and Armor
The Arms and Armor room at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is my husband’s favorite place to be on a rainy Sunday morning. Studing the impressive armor feels like stepping foot into a time long forgotten.
The objective of the Arms and Armor department is to preserve, research and exhibit the art of armor, swordsmiths and gunmakers. Lest we forget, armor and weapons were a source of pride. They required both great technical capabilities and indisputable artistry to impress royalty.
Local’s Tip. Make sure to visit the musket room, the details on the guns are nothing short of amazing.
Rooms from the Hôtel de Varengeville
Some of the best things to see at the Metropolitan Museum of Art are the period-specific reconstructed rooms from the opulent Hôtel de Varengeville in Paris. The elaborately-decorated rooms were used as private residences in the 18th century. No detail overlooked, this exhibit is always a kick for Francophiles.
Human-Headed Winged Lion
Better known as Lamassu, these human-headed winged lions (depicting goddessed) were used to protect important doorways in Assyrian palaces. Dating back to the 9th century, the pair displayed at the Met was originally used to guard the palace of King Ashurnasirpal II ( 883–859 B.C.) of Assyria.
The statues were sculpted with five legs to give the appearance of walking when viewed from the side (yet standing when viewed head on).
Have More Time? More Great Things to See at The Met
Portraits by Lily Martin Spencer
Lily Martin Spencer was a talented American painter that portrayed male-female relationships in a patriarchal society. The museum is home to a fascinating collection of her paintings.
- Young Husband. First Marketing
- Young Wife. First Stew
These two famous paintings at the Met hang side-by-side and portray the early years of marriage humorously.
In Young Husband. First Marketing, an embarassed husband goes to the market to fetch groceries, a task he’s clearly never done before, made evident by the gazes he attracts from amused onlookers. The second portrait is equally amusing and picks up where the last portrait left off.
In Young Wife. First Stew, a puzzled wife attempts to make a stew from the random jumble of groceries her husband brought home (notice the pineapple?). The wife wearily peels an onion while her perplexed helper looks on.
Spencer sought to illuminate the social anxieties at the time. running a household efficiently, which she does flawlessly. In my opinion, these are some of the most beautiful paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Young Mother Sewing
Mary Cassatt was an American painter that apprenticed under Edgar Degas (The Dance Class & Little Dancer). Cassatt’s focus was portraying the domestic life of women, mainly the intimate bond between mothers and children.
Her portrait of Young Mother Sewing is a must see at the Met. Inviting and calm, the child’s tranquil gaze is piercing, while the mother sews undisturbed. Cassatt has a way of romanticizing mundane daily tasks. Her expertise in pausing time to reflect on the importance of childhood makes her work feel tender.
Portrait of Gertrude Stein by Pablo Picasso
Famous American author Gertrude Stein was an early adopter of European art and would often host world-renowned European artists in her Parisian apartment. She befriended Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Henri Matisse, among others.
Picasso’s success is partially attributed to Stein’s friendship because she encouraged his talent by purchasing his paintings when he was living in poverty. Picasso’s portrait of Stein is a touching affair, his adoration and respect for the subject is obvious.
This portrait is special for two reason. It’s one of Picasso’s final paintings during his Rose Period (before he transitioned to Cubism) and Stein cherished the portrait so much she held onto it until her death.
The portrait was bequeathed to the Museum of Modern Art before being transferred to The Met. Today, it’s considered one of the most famous paintings at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
List of Famous Art at The MET in New York City (Post Overview)
In summary, here’s the best things to see at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.
- Self Portrait with a Straw Hat
- The Dance Class
- Washington Crossing the Delaware
- Rembrandt Self-Portrait
- Aristotle with a Bust of Homer
- Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies
- A Sunday on La Grande Jatte
- Vermeer Paintings
- The Death of Socrates
- The Temple of Dendur
- Human-Headed Winged Lion
- The Greek and Roman Sculpture Court
- The French rooms
- Ugolino and His Sons
- Young Mother Sewing
- The Denial of Saint Peter
- Gertrude Stein
- Garden at Sainte-Adresse
- The Thinker
- Arms and Armor
My top picks include Tips for Visiting The Met, Famous Art at the Met (Table of Contents), Self Portrait With a Straw Hat. This guide covers 20 total activities based on firsthand experience.
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“}]} –>My top picks include Tips for Visiting The Met, Famous Art at the Met (Table of Contents), Self Portrait With a Straw Hat. This guide covers 20 total activities based on firsthand experience.
Yes! The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers a unique mix of experiences for every type of visitor. See our complete guide above for details.
What to See at The Met in 2 Hours
If you’re looking for the best things to see at The Met in 2 hours, I suggest visiting the following pieces in order.
- The Greek and Roman Sculpture Court
- The Temple of Dendur
- Washington Crossing the Delaware
- Self Portrait with a Straw Hat
- A Sunday on La Grande Jatte
- Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies
- Ugolino and His Sons
- Arms and Armor
Visiting the Met (FAQs)
What is the most expensive artwork at The Met?
In 2004, The Metropolitan Museum of Art purchased a devotional panel of the Madonna and Child, which was the last painting by Duccio di Buoninsegna. The artwork was purchased for $45 million, making it the most expensive artwork at the MET.
How long should you spend at The Met NYC?
A proper visit to the Met can easily last 3-5 hours, but for most of us, looking at art for more than 2 hours feels like an exhausting task. As such, unless you’re an avid art connoisseur, I recommend planning to spend 2 hours visiting the Met. You should feel excited to return a second time, rather than feel drained as you leave the musuem.
Can you bring water into the Met NYC?
Yes, you can bring a water bottle with you, but it must be secured in a plastic container.
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Cheers!
Hungry while exploring? Check out our guide to the best food in SoHo for local dining picks.
What would you add to this list?
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If you liked this guide, you might also enjoy exploring my other local recommendations.
This is not a bad list. However, El Greco’s View of Toledo is one of the seminal works of Western Painting and should be included.
@Kevin, wow, thanks for letting me know about this painting (had no idea)! I’ll check it out on Sunday.
The Seurat painting at the Met is “Study for ‘A Sunday on La Grande Jatte'”. It is not the final painting (which resides at The Art Institute of Chicago”, and does not reflect true pointillism, a term coined for the final work, as this version uses tiny strokes as opposed to the dots used in his more famous piece.
Jane, thanks so much for this helpful information! I bet readers will find this very helpful. 🙂 Cheers!
Thank you for the detailed explanation. Much appreciated. Just a suggestion: if you can add the gallery number that’d be most helpful! Thanks again and cheers.
Hey Justin, we’ve linked to the Met’s official map to make it easier to locate the paintings, thanks for your feedback!
This is a fantastic list – Thank you for the details about the works – Have you ever considered doing a tour?
You are too kind! I’m so happy to hear you found the list helpful (it was a lot of fun to research/write about the art at the Met). I’ve never considered doing a tour, but please don’t hesitate to ask any questions that come up, I’m happy to help!
On the floor above the armor section there are thousands of musical instruments including several Stradavarius violins, vilolas, and cellos. There’s also one of the 3 remaining original pianos invented by Crisofori in 1710! There are instruments from many cultures and time periods. I spent 3 hours among the instruments, but I’m a musician:)
Amy, thank you so much for highlighting the instruments at the Met! I’ve enjoyed that section a few times myself but imagine it’s so meaningful for a musician. I’m sure other readers will find this helpful!
Cheers!
Antonina