Medieval Europe's snippet transplanted in Manhattan: The Met Cloisters
In the heart of Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan, lies a hidden gem that transports visitors to the spiritual and cultural realm of medieval Europe – The Met Cloisters. This lesser-known branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art is dedicated exclusively to the art and architecture of medieval Europe, spanning the period from 800 to 1600 CE.
Established in 1938, The Met Cloisters stands out with its architectural uniqueness. Charles Collens' design seamlessly incorporates elements from five authentic medieval French cloisters, including three chapels such as the 12th-century Spanish Fuentiduena Chapel. The result is an authentic Gothic monastic atmosphere with terraces, gardens, arcades, and galleries, mirroring the medieval context of the works displayed.
The museum houses over 5,000 pieces, including notable works like the Unicorn Tapestries and the Mérode Altarpiece. The gardens are cultivated in medieval fashion, enhancing the immersive experience. Three delicate gardens of aromatic and medicinal plants add to the tranquil ambiance, creating a place of great serenity.
George Grey Barnard, an American sculptor and medieval art enthusiast, played a significant role in The Met Cloisters' unique history. In the early 20th century, Barnard was an important collector of medieval art and assembled a large collection of medieval sculpture and architectural fragments. His collection and vision were instrumental in inspiring and shaping what would ultimately become The Met Cloisters.
Barnard acquired medieval stonework from Europe and displayed it in his Manhattan studio, creating a private museum of medieval art. His efforts attracted public and institutional interest, paving the way for the Metropolitan Museum of Art to establish a permanent, dedicated medieval art museum. In 1925, the Metropolitan Museum bought Barnard's collection, thanks to a donation from John D. Rockefeller Jr.
The Met Cloisters is not a reproduction or reassembly of a particular building, but rather a synthesis of genuine medieval cloister elements set in Manhattan. It boasts several galleries dedicated to Roman and Gothic art, filled with tapestries, stained glass, manuscripts, jewel-ornamented relics, frescoes, sculptures, and illuminated manuscripts.
Located at 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park, New York, NY 10040, The Met Cloisters invites visitors to explore the Old World of medieval art. For more information, visit https://www.metmuseum.org/. Embark on a journey through time, immersing yourself in the enchanting world of The Met Cloisters.
- In the heart of home-and-garden oases within Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan, visitors can admire The Met Cloisters' charming, medieval-style gardens, cultivated to mirror their historical counterparts.
- After a day of immersing oneself in the sophisticated art and architecture of medieval Europe at The Met Cloisters, one can retreat to the seclusion of their in-flight abode, transporting the spiritual and cultural ambiance of the museum into a modern, luxury lifestyle space.
