The Metropolitan Museum of Art Guide

Illustrates and describes nine hundred works of art representing each of the Museum's eighteen departments

In the words of this book's introduction, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a "living encyclopedia of world art," with collections including art from almost every known culture and almost every known period. While no guidebook can reasonably cover all of the museum's major works, this reference does a fine job of skimming the surface in 470 tightly packed pages. From musical instruments to ancient ruins, each cornerstone of the collection is represented in color with a caption headed by the work's title, artist, medium, and dimensions. (The date of the piece is unfortunately buried in the caption's text.) General information and floor plans are included at the beginning of the book, making this the perfect introduction to the museum and an ideal aid to planning an artistic excursion.