The Metropolitan Museum of Art has put hundreds of it’s historic musical instruments online, all of which are interesting as well as beautiful, and many of many of which are simply stunning works of art.
New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art announces (via its Twitter feed, no less) that it has gotten its Musical Instruments collection online. Over 800 inspiring objects of all kinds are available with photos, maker information, and historical notes, making this an extraordinary tool both for serious research and discovering wonderful designs.
The best place to start is the Musical Instruments department page, which includes links to highlights, how to find the gallery in the Museum (believe me, you may need that), publications, and other details. You can also search the database, picking out a keyword like “drum.”
Incredibly, this is only a fraction of what the Met has in their collection. The department has 5,000 pieces from every continent except Antarctica, with pieces dating back to around 300 BC, from Stradivari’s violins to rare African percussion.
If you share an interest in music or instruments, you should definitely check it out.
[via Logickal]
2 Comments
I would very much like to see the Loud Brothers pianos the Met has. They were made by my great-great-great grandfather in Philadelphia.
Square piano, ca. 1825, Philadelphia, Loud & Brothers. I know that isn't quite exactly what you meant, but…