The greatest museum in the Western Hemisphere, The Metropolitan Museum of Art— an encyclopedia of more than two million objects from all parts of the world—is finally, after more than 150 years, coming to terms with modern and contemporary art. Until the late 1940s, The Met simply ignored it. A few modernist works made their way into the collection, and over the years there were gifts and legacies, such as Picasso’s great portrait of Gertrude Stein, that could not be refused. But The Met’s anti-modernist stance held firm until 1967, when the museum got its first department of contemporary art, headed by the irrepressible curator Henry Geldzahler, in two smallish, unprepossessing rooms on the second floor. Two decades later, modern and contemporary art established an entire wing of its own, partially financed by Reader’s Digest co-founder and philanthropist Lila Acheson Wallace, with 40,000 square feet of gallery space. But when it opened, this space did more to highlight the gaps in The Met’s pitifully inadequate collection than showcase its few modern treasures.
This story is from the April 2023 edition of Vogue US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2023 edition of Vogue US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Old Souls
A new production of Uncle Vanya brings the eternal wisdom of Anton Chekhov to the stage.
If the Shoe Doesn't Fit
Forever looking for a 42 ina world of 39s.
Not Black and White
At just 27, Anna Park has made a major impression on the art world. Dodie Kazanjian visits her studio.
Prep School
Back in the '90s, Plum Sykes arrived in New York from London and promptly found herself in the thrall of preppy chic. Now, she writes, it's all coming back.
States of WONDER
John Galliano's recent Maison Margiela triumph was an haute couture tour de force. Yet, as Hamish Bowles recalls, it's but the latest in the designer's long history of era-defining shows.
A Sense of Occasion
The Costume Institute's revelatory new exhibition, \"Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,\" employs sight, touch, smell, sound, and technology to bring rarely seen pieces to life, Nathan Heller gets the full picture.
The Dreamlife of Zendaya
Up in fame's stratosphere, she considers what's next: more adult roles, like her new one in Challengers; a turn in the director's chair; a family one day.... Zendaya looks to the horizon with Marley Marius.
Life Is a Cabaret
Three years after the West End production made major waves, the storied musical arrives on Broadway. Adrienne Miller goes behind the scenes at the Kit Kat Club.
Porcelain Petals
Korean American artist Se Oh brings botany and personal history to their work.
Girl on Fire
Grammy-winning Tyla is making music for Africa, and beyond.