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Metropolitan Museum of Art: A Virtual Crash Course with David Gassett

Metropolitan Museum of Art: A Virtual Crash Course with David Gassett


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

One of the largest museums in the world by volume and collection size, the Metropolitan Museum of Art holds some of humanity’s greatest masterpieces from across the globe. With a collection of over 2 million objects representing 5,000 years of human history, including the world’s most comprehensive collection of American art and the largest collection of Egyptian art outside of Cairo, there are nearly endless treasures to explore within its halls.

Join our specialized virtual tour of the most iconic treasures of the Met's collection. Our conversation will delve into the history of the museum and its buildings, its ancient Egypt collections, a hidden room, and objects from as far apart as the west coast of North America and Southern Asia. At

Led by anthropologist, museum professional, and local New Yorker David Gassett, this conversation will tour some of both the most famous and best-hidden treasures of the Met.  Designed to satisfy curiosity as well as inspire future travel plans, participants will leave with deeper knowledge about the history of this remarkable institution.

We encourage you to explore our Met Museum Crash Course the next time you're traveling in New York.

David is a life-long New Yorker with a B.A. in Anthropology and Archaeology from Columbia University and a M.A. in Anthropology and Museum Studies from the George Washington University and the Smithsonian Institution. His academic specialities lie in indigenous and non-Western art, cultural heritage, and progressive museum models. David has worked as an educator in schools and museums and published internationally about museum pedagogy. When not in a museum, he enjoys a good book, skiing, and exploring the history of his Brooklyn neighborhood.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 6 reviews
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(6)
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L
L.H. (Lafayette, US)
Excellent presentation!

I loved the various pieces that David focused on--things that I would never have noticed on my own. Would love to do an in person tour sometime with David at the Met! Well done and well presented!

S
S.G. (Wilmette, US)
Outstanding

David first presented a very interesting overview of how the Met was conceived and established. We next visited little known hidden "treasures", exhibits overlooked by most visitors. The last segment was on the Met Today ... changes in leadership, financial issues and the future. All very well presented. I look forward to David's seminar next week on reparations.

J
John K (Washington, US)
A Different View of the Met

Mr. Gassett provided the fascinating background of the formation and development of the Met along with a look at special items you usually miss on your visits.

B
Bonnie (Los Altos, US)
Very informational!

David had a thorough knowledge of the art pieces he described. It gave life to the exhibits that wouldn't have been as interesting. I'm looking forward to going to the Met again with better insight.

J
Jackie Jones (The Bronx, US)
So informative!

I love travel and I love knowing in depth information about the places I visit. Being a New Yorker all my life I thought learning more about The Met would be fun. This lecture was so fantastic even for someone who has lived here for 30 years. David chose pieces to discuss that had artistic and cultural significance. I learned about the Met history as well as important topics that the Met will need to address in the future. David’s style was informative and engaging. I really enjoyed the talk.and learned so much. I will definitely take another tour with this expert.

Customer Reviews

Based on 6 reviews
100%
(6)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
L
L.H. (Lafayette, US)
Excellent presentation!

I loved the various pieces that David focused on--things that I would never have noticed on my own. Would love to do an in person tour sometime with David at the Met! Well done and well presented!

S
S.G. (Wilmette, US)
Outstanding

David first presented a very interesting overview of how the Met was conceived and established. We next visited little known hidden "treasures", exhibits overlooked by most visitors. The last segment was on the Met Today ... changes in leadership, financial issues and the future. All very well presented. I look forward to David's seminar next week on reparations.

J
John K (Washington, US)
A Different View of the Met

Mr. Gassett provided the fascinating background of the formation and development of the Met along with a look at special items you usually miss on your visits.

B
Bonnie (Los Altos, US)
Very informational!

David had a thorough knowledge of the art pieces he described. It gave life to the exhibits that wouldn't have been as interesting. I'm looking forward to going to the Met again with better insight.

J
Jackie Jones (The Bronx, US)
So informative!

I love travel and I love knowing in depth information about the places I visit. Being a New Yorker all my life I thought learning more about The Met would be fun. This lecture was so fantastic even for someone who has lived here for 30 years. David chose pieces to discuss that had artistic and cultural significance. I learned about the Met history as well as important topics that the Met will need to address in the future. David’s style was informative and engaging. I really enjoyed the talk.and learned so much. I will definitely take another tour with this expert.