3 ms·

Free Art Books from the Metropolitan Museum of Art

122 points by diodorus 12y ago

shmageggy 12y ago
The Met is really on top of their digital game. Their website is super informative, functional, and attractive. I didn't use their app but it seems very comprehensive. My only complaint is that it's iOS only, grumble grumble.
jay_m 12y ago
Can anyone recommend some specific books to look at? This seems like a great treasure trove but as a beginner to art appreciation I don't have much of an idea of where to start.
- yzh 12y ago
  If you search masterpiece, there are several masterpiece collection books, I think they are good places to start.
- trisomy21 12y ago
  I just added a list. Hopefully it will get you going!
- waterlesscloud 12y ago
  Just pick something that sounds interesting to you and start reading. There's no bad way to do it. I wander at random through art history stuff, and I never regret it.
yzh 12y ago
I downloaded a book on Van Gogh's drawing, beautiful. http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Vincent_van_Gogh_The_Drawings?Tag=&title=&author=&pt=&tc=&dept=&fmt=# http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Vincent_va...
trisomy21 12y ago
Here are some that I found fascinating. These are all downloadable. Enjoy! Canvas Matches in Vermeer: A Case Study in the Computer Analysis of Fabric Supports http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/search-publication-results?searchType=C&Tag=computer&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/search-pub... Art and Autoradiography: Insights into the Genesis of Paintings by Rembrandt, Van Dyck, and Vermeer http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Art_and_Autoradiography_Insights_into_the_Genesis_of_Paintings_by_Rembrandt_Van_Dyck_and_Vermeer?Tag=photography&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Art_and_Au... All the Mighty World: The Photographs of Roger Fenton, 1852–1860 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/All_the_Mighty_World_The_Photographs_of_Roger_Fenton_1852_1860?Tag=photography&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/All_the_Mi... Photography Between the Wars: Selections from the Ford Motor Company Collection http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Photography_Between_the_Wars_Selections_from_the_Ford_Motor_Company_Collection_The_Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art_Bulletin_v_45_no_4_Spring_1988?Tag=world%20war&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Photograph... Art and the Empire City: New York, 1825–1861 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Art_and_the_Empire_City_New_York_1825_1861?Tag=photography&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Art_and_th... Art and Anatomy in Renaissance Italy: Images from a Scientific Revolution http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Art_and_Anatomy_in_Renaissance_Italy_Images_from_a_Scientific_Revolution?Tag=leonardo&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Art_and_An... Leonardo da Vinci: Anatomical Drawings http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Leonardo_da_Vinci_Anatomical_Drawings_from_the_Royal_Library_Windsor_Castle?Tag=&title=leonardo&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Leonardo_d... The Scepter of Egypt: A Background for the Study of the Egyptian Antiquities in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Vol. 1 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Scepter_of_Egypt_Vol_1_From_the_Earliest_Times_to_the_End_of_the_Middle_Kingdom?Tag=&title=&author=&pt=0&tc={55EACA16-D3BF-4D92-A5B0-CF41D661B79C}&dept=0&fmt=0 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Scepte... Ancient Egyptian Calligraphy http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Ancient_Egyptian_Calligraphy?Tag=Favorite%20Met%20titles&title=&author=&pt=&tc=&dept=&fmt= http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Ancient_Eg... Chess: East and West, Past and Present http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Chess_East_and_West_Past_and_Present_A_Selection_from_the_Gustavus_A_Pfeiffer_Collection?Tag=&title=&author=&pt=&tc=&dept=&fmt= http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Chess_East... American Musical Instruments in The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/American_Musical_Instruments_in_The_Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art?Tag=technology&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=0 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/American_M... Helmets and Body Armor in Modern Warfare http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Helmets_and_Body_Armor_in_Modern_Warfare?Tag=world%20war&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Helmets_an... Of Arms and Men: Arms and Armor at the Metropolitan http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Of_Arms_and_Men_Arms_and_Armor_at_the_Metropolitan_1912_2012?Tag=world%20war&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Of_Arms_an... The Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Art_of_Chivalry_European_Arms_and_Armor_from_The_Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art?Tag=weapons&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Art_of... European Helmets, 1450–1650 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/European_Helmets_1450_1650_Treasures_from_the_Reserve_Collection?Tag=world%20war&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/European_H... The Wild Man: Medieval Myth and Symbolism http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Wild_Man_Medieval_Myth_and_Symbolism?Tag=albrecht&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Wild_M... Greek Art From Prehistoric to Classical http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Greek_Art_From_Prehistoric_to_Classical?Tag=world%20war&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Greek_Art_... Along the Ancient Silk Routes: Central Asian Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Along_the_Ancient_Silk_Routes_Central_Asian_Art_from_the_West_Berlin_State_Museums?Tag=photography&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Along_the_... Words and Images: Chinese Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Words_and_Images_Chinese_Poetry_Calligraphy_and_Painting?Tag=Favorite%20Met%20titles&title=&author=&pt=&tc=&dept=&fmt= http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Words_and_... Momoyama: Japanese Art in the Age of Grandeur http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Momoyama_Japanese_Art_in_the_Age_of_Grandeur?Tag=world%20war&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Momoyama_J... Islamic Art and Geometric Design: Activities for Learning http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Islamic_Art_and_Geometric_Design_Activities_for_Learning?Tag=geometry&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Islamic_Ar... Vincent van Gogh: The Drawings http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Vincent_van_Gogh_The_Drawings?Tag=van%20gogh&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Vincent_va... Picasso and Gertrude Stein http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Picasso_and_Gertrude_Stein?Tag=picasso&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Picasso_an... The Care and Handling of Art Objects: Practices in The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Care_and_Handling_of_Art_Objects_Practices_in_The_Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art?Tag=photography&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Care_a... Masterpieces of The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Masterpieces_of_the_Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art_2006?Tag=leonardo&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Masterpiec... Masterpieces of Painting in The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Masterpieces_of_Painting_in_The_Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art?Tag=picasso&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Masterpiec...

122 points by diodorus 12y ago

The Met is really on top of their digital game. Their website is super informative, functional, and attractive. I didn't use their app but it seems very comprehensive. My only complaint is that it's iOS only, grumble grumble.

jay_m 12y ago

Can anyone recommend some specific books to look at? This seems like a great treasure trove but as a beginner to art appreciation I don't have much of an idea of where to start.

yzh 12y ago
If you search masterpiece, there are several masterpiece collection books, I think they are good places to start.
trisomy21 12y ago
I just added a list. Hopefully it will get you going!
waterlesscloud 12y ago
Just pick something that sounds interesting to you and start reading. There's no bad way to do it. I wander at random through art history stuff, and I never regret it.

yzh 12y ago

I downloaded a book on Van Gogh's drawing, beautiful. http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Vincent_van_Gogh_The_Drawings?Tag=&title=&author=&pt=&tc=&dept=&fmt=# http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Vincent_va...

trisomy21 12y ago

Here are some that I found fascinating. These are all downloadable. Enjoy! Canvas Matches in Vermeer: A Case Study in the Computer Analysis of Fabric Supports http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/search-publication-results?searchType=C&Tag=computer&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/search-pub... Art and Autoradiography: Insights into the Genesis of Paintings by Rembrandt, Van Dyck, and Vermeer http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Art_and_Autoradiography_Insights_into_the_Genesis_of_Paintings_by_Rembrandt_Van_Dyck_and_Vermeer?Tag=photography&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Art_and_Au... All the Mighty World: The Photographs of Roger Fenton, 1852–1860 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/All_the_Mighty_World_The_Photographs_of_Roger_Fenton_1852_1860?Tag=photography&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/All_the_Mi... Photography Between the Wars: Selections from the Ford Motor Company Collection http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Photography_Between_the_Wars_Selections_from_the_Ford_Motor_Company_Collection_The_Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art_Bulletin_v_45_no_4_Spring_1988?Tag=world%20war&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Photograph... Art and the Empire City: New York, 1825–1861 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Art_and_the_Empire_City_New_York_1825_1861?Tag=photography&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Art_and_th... Art and Anatomy in Renaissance Italy: Images from a Scientific Revolution http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Art_and_Anatomy_in_Renaissance_Italy_Images_from_a_Scientific_Revolution?Tag=leonardo&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Art_and_An... Leonardo da Vinci: Anatomical Drawings http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Leonardo_da_Vinci_Anatomical_Drawings_from_the_Royal_Library_Windsor_Castle?Tag=&title=leonardo&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Leonardo_d... The Scepter of Egypt: A Background for the Study of the Egyptian Antiquities in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Vol. 1 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Scepter_of_Egypt_Vol_1_From_the_Earliest_Times_to_the_End_of_the_Middle_Kingdom?Tag=&title=&author=&pt=0&tc={55EACA16-D3BF-4D92-A5B0-CF41D661B79C}&dept=0&fmt=0 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Scepte... Ancient Egyptian Calligraphy http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Ancient_Egyptian_Calligraphy?Tag=Favorite%20Met%20titles&title=&author=&pt=&tc=&dept=&fmt= http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Ancient_Eg... Chess: East and West, Past and Present http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Chess_East_and_West_Past_and_Present_A_Selection_from_the_Gustavus_A_Pfeiffer_Collection?Tag=&title=&author=&pt=&tc=&dept=&fmt= http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Chess_East... American Musical Instruments in The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/American_Musical_Instruments_in_The_Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art?Tag=technology&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=0 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/American_M... Helmets and Body Armor in Modern Warfare http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Helmets_and_Body_Armor_in_Modern_Warfare?Tag=world%20war&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Helmets_an... Of Arms and Men: Arms and Armor at the Metropolitan http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Of_Arms_and_Men_Arms_and_Armor_at_the_Metropolitan_1912_2012?Tag=world%20war&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Of_Arms_an... The Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Art_of_Chivalry_European_Arms_and_Armor_from_The_Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art?Tag=weapons&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Art_of... European Helmets, 1450–1650 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/European_Helmets_1450_1650_Treasures_from_the_Reserve_Collection?Tag=world%20war&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/European_H... The Wild Man: Medieval Myth and Symbolism http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Wild_Man_Medieval_Myth_and_Symbolism?Tag=albrecht&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Wild_M... Greek Art From Prehistoric to Classical http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Greek_Art_From_Prehistoric_to_Classical?Tag=world%20war&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Greek_Art_... Along the Ancient Silk Routes: Central Asian Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Along_the_Ancient_Silk_Routes_Central_Asian_Art_from_the_West_Berlin_State_Museums?Tag=photography&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Along_the_... Words and Images: Chinese Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Words_and_Images_Chinese_Poetry_Calligraphy_and_Painting?Tag=Favorite%20Met%20titles&title=&author=&pt=&tc=&dept=&fmt= http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Words_and_... Momoyama: Japanese Art in the Age of Grandeur http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Momoyama_Japanese_Art_in_the_Age_of_Grandeur?Tag=world%20war&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Momoyama_J... Islamic Art and Geometric Design: Activities for Learning http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Islamic_Art_and_Geometric_Design_Activities_for_Learning?Tag=geometry&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Islamic_Ar... Vincent van Gogh: The Drawings http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Vincent_van_Gogh_The_Drawings?Tag=van%20gogh&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Vincent_va... Picasso and Gertrude Stein http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Picasso_and_Gertrude_Stein?Tag=picasso&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Picasso_an... The Care and Handling of Art Objects: Practices in The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Care_and_Handling_of_Art_Objects_Practices_in_The_Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art?Tag=photography&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Care_a... Masterpieces of The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Masterpieces_of_the_Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art_2006?Tag=leonardo&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Masterpiec... Masterpieces of Painting in The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Masterpieces_of_Painting_in_The_Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art?Tag=picasso&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Masterpiec...