The MET unveils new Greek & Roman galleries

This spring, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City will open one of the most exciting new exhibits in recent memory. The exhibit coincides with a renewed interest in ancient civilizatons and peoples spawned by recent Hollywood movies such as Gladiator, Alexander, Troy, and 300.

“The spectacular redesign and reinstallation of the Museum’s superb collection of classical art is nearing completion. On April 20, 2007, the New Greek and Roman Galleries, which include the dramatic Leon Levy and Shelby White Court, will be unveiled, concluding a 15-year project and returning thousands of works from the Museum’s permanent collection to public view.

The new galleries will house objects created between about 900 B.C. and the early fourth century A.D. Works on view will trace the evolution of Greek art in the Hellenistic period and the arts of southern Italy and Etruria, culminating in the rich and varied world of the Roman Empire. First-floor galleries will be dedicated to Hellenistic and Roman art, and the wholly redesigned mezzanine level—which overlooks the stunning new court from two sides—will include galleries for Etruscan art as well as the Greek and Roman study collection. Together, the astonishing assembly of works on display—some never before seen by the public—will bring to life the aesthetic and philosophical roots of Western civilization.” - www.metmuseum.org

The expansive space alloted for the new pieces was originally created to house Roman art over 50 years ago, but for various reasons transformed into a public restaurant and museum cafeteria. A 1970’s masterplan for the MET envisioned the reclamation of the space to show classical art, but it wasn’t until the 1990’s that the idea for an exclusive Greek and Roman exhibit took flight. The highlight of the space is the Leon Levy and Shelby White Court for Hellenistic and Roman art, which was designed and built between 1912-1926 by the highly acclaimed architectural firm McKim, Mead and White. The spectacular court was designed to reflect a garden in a Roman villa and has a glass roof which will allow natural light to illuminate the 20 scultpures at the center. The MET has been exhibited a small portion of its Hellenistic and Roman art since its opening in 1870, but a lack of sufficient space has forced the museum to severely limit what the public sees at any given time. Thousands of pieces that have either never been shown or that have not been shown in decades will now be unveiled for the world to enjoy.

EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS:

1. Statue of an Old Market Woman- Full size sculpture of a woman dressed for a festival, carrying chickens and a basket of fruit.

2. Etruscan Chariot- A full size chariot with details depicting the life of Achilles.

3. Bronze Statue of a Boy- One of the few full-size bronze statues to survive from antiquity. Most were melted down to make other items.

4. Bronze Stauette of a Vailed and Masked Dancer- A beautiful work that highlights a mastery in bronze work – particularly the detail of the dancer’s drapery.

5. Glass Garland Bowl- One of the earlist known examples of hand blown glass with fused-on color.

6. Etruscan Jewelry – The most elaborate and elegant set of Etruscan jewelry ever found.