Re-centering the narrative of history, connecting eastern and western cultures.
By de-compartmentalizing the various rooms of the museum, the collections speak to each other across territories, cultures, and time—creating profound interconnections between cultures that existed in antiquity, but until now have not been fully integrated at The Met.
The Ancient Near Eastern Art galleries will be characterized by a series of architectural backdrops that reflect the materials used in the works on display such as clay, copper, bronze, gold, silver, and lapis lazuli. The Cypriot galleries will feature limestone, as well as a monumental ramp to connect the two galleries, deepening the relationship between the works of art on view and improving access for visitors within that space and those moving across the second floor of the Museum.
This renovation will introduce architectural and design elements that both reflect the materials and geographic origins of the works of art on view; it will also invite people to gather and engage with the collection from multiple perspectives. The project scope includes repairs and replacements of a portion of the skylights above the galleries which the museum expects to reduce energy consumption in this area by approximately 40%.