The Metropolitan Museum of Art is inviting art enthusiasts to explore its remarkable collection from the comfort of their homes through high-quality 3D scans. Among the treasures available are a striking Neolithic marble figurine, an ancient Nayarit model home, and Claude Monet's celebrated 1891 painting "Haystacks (Effect of Snow and Sun)."
Recently, the museum unveiled the first batch of 100 scans on its website, a move aimed at enhancing public access to its vast collection and scholarly resources. Max Hollein, the Met's Director and CEO, expressed that this initiative is just the beginning, with plans to release over 100 additional scans in the future.
While The Met already hosts thousands of artwork images online, these new 3D models offer an immersive experience, allowing users worldwide to closely examine the pieces from various angles. Visitors can also enjoy these artworks using virtual reality headsets. Notably, nine of the models, including Vincent van Gogh's "Wheat Field with Cypresses," were meticulously created in collaboration with Japan's NHK, utilizing advanced photogrammetry and laser scanning techniques.
This initiative follows the museum's previous venture into virtual reality, where it offered gamified tours of notable exhibits like the Temple of Dendur and the Oceania galleries. Hollein emphasized that these digital experiences are designed to create engaging pathways into The Met's collection, encouraging audiences globally to interact with these masterpieces in innovative ways.
Despite the museum's efforts to broaden public engagement, it remains one of the priciest cultural institutions in New York, charging a $30 admission fee for non-residents. Stella Kim, a spokesperson for The Met, revealed that the initial selection of 3D works has been scanned over the past decade. While the museum is increasing its annual digitization efforts, Kim did not disclose specific numbers regarding the total scans from its extensive 1.5 million-item collection.