LIFE at the Met Museum: Photos From a House of Treasures

1 minute read
A seated female student studies statues in a sculpture gallery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A seated female student studies statues in a sculpture gallery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
By Ben Cosgrove

In March 1939, LIFE magazine celebrated The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York with an eight-page article featuring photographs by the great Alfred Eisenstaedt.

Most of the pictures that Eisenstaedt took at the museum in January of that year, however, never made it into the magazine. Now, in a gallery that includes published and unpublished photos from the shoot, LIFE.com presents a selection of evocative (and sometimes playful) images that offer a virtual tour, of sorts, through one of the world’s great museums, taken at a time in the Met’s history when one could, on a good day, walk through the collections and not be confronted with the jostling crowds that today seem to fill the massive building to bursting every day of the week.

Here, in beautifully stark black and white, are the Egyptian cats and the ornate mummy cases; the Hall of Armor and the Rodin sculptures; the Greek battle tableaux and the quiet, elegant architectural exhibitions — in short, the myriad elements and scenes that have always made a trip to the Met (as LIFE put it in 1939) “as much fun as rummaging through a king’s attic.”

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, seen from across Fifth Avenue, January 1939.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, seen from across Fifth Avenue, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A sculpture of a cat figure walking is seen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
A sculpture of a big cat (perhaps a jaguar) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, photographed in January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
The Struggle of Two Natures in Man by George Grey Barnard stands in the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Struggle of Two Natures in Man, a sculpture by George Grey Barnard, stands in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
An encaustic portrait of a young man is seen on a mummy's casket, in the Egyptian collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.
An encaustic portrait of a young man is seen on a mummy's casket, in the Egyptian collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Two Egyptian figures of cats are displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Two Egyptian cat figures on display in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A little boy stares up at a medieval suit of armor in a glass case at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A little boy stares up at a medieval suit of armor in a glass case at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A steel helmet dating to the time of Joan of Arc in the 1400s is shown in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art .
A steel helmet (allegedly) dating to the time of Joan of Arc in the 1400s is shown in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
An ornate helmet adorned with semi-nude figures sits in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
An ornate helmet adorned with semi-nude figures in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Proven a fake in 1961, this warrior statue was thought to be Etruscan when it was photographed by Alfred Eisenstaedt at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, January 1939.
Proven a fake in 1961, this warrior statue was thought to be Etruscan when it was photographed by Alfred Eisenstaedt at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, January 1939. Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Later proven to be a fake, this alleged Etruscan statue stared out with large eyes into the Metropolitan Museum of Art
This head of a warrior statue was alleged to be Etruscan when it was photographed by Alfred Eisenstaedt at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, January 1939. It was proven a fake in 1961.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Skylights brighten an interior sculpture court at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Skylights brighten an interior sculpture court at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Half man, half animal, an Egyptian sculpture crouches in the Metropolitian Museum of Art.
A sculpture of an Egyptian sphinx, half man, half animal, crouches in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A sculpture by Auguste Rodin is seen in closeup at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Modeled in 1880 by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin, this bronze cast sculpture of Adam was photographed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, in January 1939. Bronze Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Standing behind an easel, two art students copy work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Standing behind an easel, two art students copy work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Ramps and collonades are featured in an unidentified model included in the Egyptian Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Ramps and colonnades are featured in an unidentified model included in the Egyptian Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
An Egyptian sculpture of a figure kneels while holding objects in both hands in the Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
An Egyptian sculpture of a figure kneels while holding objects in both hands in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Two Egyptian mummy cases featuring crossed arms and ornate decoration at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.
Two Egyptian mummy cases featuring crossed arms and ornate decoration at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A lone woman stands at the threshold to an Egyptian Tomb at the Metropolitian Museum of Art
A lone woman stands at the threshold to an Egyptian tomb at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Egyptian xcuptures of a pphinx and seated figure are displayed beside columns inside the he Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Egyptian sculptures of a sphinx and seated figure at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A sculpture of riders and their charging horses is displayed in a corridor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A sculpture of riders atop charging horses is displayed in a corridor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A Greek statue of a man is standing in a contrapposto pose among other sculptures at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
A Greek statue of a man stands among other sculptures at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A Greek statue of a male youth stands with one foot in front of the other in a hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A Greek statue of a male youth appears to stride through a hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Figures fight and fall in battle in Greek sculpture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Figures fight and fall in battle as part of a Greek sculpture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
An unidentified sculpture of a nude archer takes aim at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.
An unidentified sculpture of a nude archer takes aim at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A visitor takes in Roman sculpture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.
A visitor takes in Roman sculpture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A seated female student studies statues in a sculpture gallery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A seated female student studies statues in a sculpture gallery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A helmet in the Hall of Armor feature stylized eyes, teeth, mouth and moustache at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A helmet in the Hall of Armor features stylized facial features and mustache at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A fully armored figure sits atop a partially armored horse figure in the Hall of Armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A fully armored figure sits atop a partially armored horse figure in the Hall of Armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Intricate battle scenes decorate armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Intricate battle scenes decorate armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Glass cases display three, highly-detailed, full suits of armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Glass cases display full suits of armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Past the legs of a horse and rider is seen the Hall of Armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The Hall of Armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A group of Asian statues feature figures standing around another figure reclining at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A group of Asian statues at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A multi-faced stone statue from Asia is displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A statue from Asia is displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A multi-faced and -armed statue of a Hindu deity sits and gestures at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A statue of a Hindu deity at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A fragment of a hand from an Asian statue is displayed on a pedestal at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A fragment of a hand from an Asian statue is displayed on a pedestal at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A staircase is on display, possibly in the American wing, at at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A staircase on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Costumes featuring volumes of cloth, bustles and corseted waists are on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Costumes featuring volumes of cloth, bustles and corseted waists on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Wrapping hides unseen works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Wrapping eerily hides works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, January 1939.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

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