Licia Ragghianti Collobi (1914–1989)

If you enjoy art, then the Metropolitan Art Museum in New York, NY is the place to visit. The largest museum of art in the Western Hemisphere, containing more than two million works of arts spanning five thousand years from prehistory to the present. Each and every part of the globe is represented.

Located at 1000 5th Ave, climbing the steps to the entrance of pillared columns, sets the stage for an exciting experience. Impossible to due justice if visiting only one day, each part of the show more museum can hold interest for hours upon hours.

I am fortunate to live only an hour and 1/2 from there. And while I have visited often, I am always amazed! Claiming a specific section as favorite is difficult.

While it snowed this weekend, I comfortably sat in a large chair, and took hours to pay attention to the description of the history and some of the collections. However, one of my favorite places in the museum is the costume institute. Throughout the year various collections are on display, giving attention to specific designers, the Met sets the tone not only for fashion of the past, but also for present.

Estimated to have been painted sometime between 1620-1626, Georges De LaTour, The Fortune Teller held and aura of mystery as experts believed that the authenticity was not correct. With today's technological advances, there is no doubt that the painting was indeed painted by LaTour.

With a large collection of flemish paintings, one of my favorite is titled The Harvesters. Approximately painted in 1526 by Peter Bruegel The Elder this is one in a series of five that have survived.

During the day various tours are held at the museum. Starting at the bottom of the lavish marble stairs on the ground floor, I often try to join a tour narrated by volunteers who guide the group through some of their favorite works of art. During one of the tours someone asked what was the most significant painting acquired. While the answer to this question is of course subjective, the tour guide noted the acquisition of Jean de Pareja painted by Velasquez in 1650

While I could continue for hours, I'll end by saying if you are in New York City, truly it is a must to spend time at the Metropolitan Art Museum. show less

Another wonderful volume of the Great Museums series. Though, the El Prado's collection is not a favorite of mine; I guess a year in Rome my have prejudiced me to quantrocentro Italian art.

Part of Newsweek series: Great Museums of the world.

i enjoy this newsweek series.