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After a meticulous five-year renovation effort, The Metropolitan Museum of Art has thrown open the doors to its 45 European art galleries, breathing new life into iconic works and significantly enhancing the gallery's lighting and energy efficiency. This extensive project, regarded as the largest in the museum's history, marks a monumental step in the museum's commitment to preserving and showcasing its rich collection of European art from different eras. The reopened galleries now offer visitors a revitalized and enriched experience, where masterpieces by artists like Rembrandt, Caravaggio, and Goya are bathed in an improved and more environmentally friendly light.
The comprehensive renovation project, which began five years ago, has brought about a transformative change in the museum's European art galleries. The exhibition, aptly titled "Look Again: European Paintings 1300–1800," introduces visitors to a fresh narrative and thematic arrangement among over 700 works of art. These include pieces by some of the most renowned artists in history, such as Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Poussin, and an extensive collection of El Greco and Goya, rivaled only by their native Spain. This reopening ushers in an era of exploration and rediscovery as the galleries allow for new dialogues and connections between different cultures, materials, and historical moments captured within the collection.
The scale and ambition of this renovation project are underlined by its substantial budget, amounting to approximately $150 million (€138 million). This investment demonstrates the museum's unwavering commitment to preserving its cultural treasures and offering an enhanced experience to its visitors.
One of the key components of this renovation was the replacement of the aging skylights, initially installed in 1939 and last upgraded in 1952. These modernized skylights not only provide superior lighting quality within the galleries but also improve energy efficiency and create optimal conditions for preserving the precious paintings on display. The result is an atmosphere that not only showcases the artworks to their best advantage but also ensures their long-term protection.
Max Hollein, The Met's Director and CEO, expressed his excitement about the reopening, highlighting how it invites visitors to reconnect with beloved classics while also discovering new acquisitions and lesser-known gems, all within a thoughtfully curated context.
Stephan Wolohojian, the John Pope-Hennessy Curator in Charge of the Department of European Paintings, emphasized the project's significance in reimagining the presentation of The Met's extraordinary collection. The goal is to provide a richer, more layered, and more satisfying experience for all visitors, engaging them more deeply with the diverse and profound artistry on display.
