Art World News
Reawakening Fashion’s Past at the 2024 Met Gala Event Hosted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Every year the Metropolitan Museum of Art hosts one of the biggest social events of the year, the Met Gala. It is always held in the spring and features a theme inspired by one of the museums current exhibits. The most fashion forward and prestigious celebrities are invited. It is known for the extreme lengths the attendees go when choosing what to wear when they walk the red carpet to enter the event. This year the themes was “Garden of Time,” to match the Costume Institute’s new exhibit “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.”
Pieces from the exhibit will be worn on the red carpet as well as being displayed via video animation and light projections. The Gala is a charity event and fundraiser of one of the museum’s most popular contributors, the Costume Institute. It marks the yearly opening of a new exhibit and usually earns the institute eight figures or more. The event usually includes a big name musical performance, time to tour the new exhibit, and is followed by a five-star meal. Past themes for the Gala have included Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, Manus X Machina: Fashion and Technology, and Punk: Chaos in Couture.
The Costume Institute began as the Museum of Costume Art in 1937, but changed its name when it merged with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1959. It holds items representing dress from all countries of the world over the last fifteen centuries. It is the largest and most comprehensive costume collection in the world. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City was built in 1870 and holds one of the most famous art collections in the world. They exhibit paintings from artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edouard Manet, Henri Matisse, and so many more.
Their collection also includes Egyptian art, Greek and Roman Sculptures, as well as the world’s largest collection of American art in the American Wing of the museum. The Costume Institute is only one of the many amazing collections on display at the amazing Metropolitan Museum that celebrates the Met Gala every year.
Notable works of art showcased at the Met:
This painting is part of Monet’s famous Water Lilies series, showcasing his exquisite garden in Giverny. The artwork captures the serene beauty of water lilies floating on a pond, reflecting the surrounding foliage and sky. Monet’s use of light and color creates a tranquil, almost hypnotic scene that invites viewers into the peaceful, natural world he so loved.
This portrait by Klimt depicts Mada Primavesi, a young girl from a wealthy Viennese family. Dressed in a white frock with a colorful floral pattern, Mada stands confidently, exuding innocence and elegance. Klimt’s signature decorative style and use of intricate patterns are evident, making this portrait both a personal and artistic masterpiece.
One of Degas’ most iconic works, The Dance Class provides an intimate glimpse into a ballet studio. The painting captures the precise movements and discipline of the young dancers as they practice under the watchful eye of their instructor. Degas’ attention to detail and his ability to convey motion and light make this piece a dynamic and engaging portrayal of the world of ballet.
Painted during his stay at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum, this work depicts a vibrant wheat field with tall cypress trees under a swirling sky. Van Gogh’s bold use of color and dynamic brushstrokes convey the intensity of the Provençal landscape. This painting is a testament to van Gogh’s ability to capture the emotional essence of nature.
This early Monet painting features a seaside terrace at Sainte-Adresse, a resort town in Normandy. The bright, sunny scene shows elegant figures enjoying the view of sailboats on the water, framed by lush flowers and striped umbrellas. Monet’s masterful handling of light and shadow and his attention to atmospheric effects make this work a vivid snapshot of leisure by the sea.
Seurat’s most famous work, this large-scale painting showcases a diverse group of Parisians relaxing on the banks of the Seine River. Using his innovative pointillist technique, Seurat meticulously applied tiny dots of color to create a harmonious and luminous composition. The scene reflects both the social dynamics and the leisurely lifestyle of late 19th-century Paris.
While you watch the celebrities that graced the red carpet for this year’s event, feel free to also browse our American art gallery to put you in the spirit of the Met. It will make you feel as if you are standing in the American Wing wearing anything you like.
About the Author Amanda Hadley
Amanda graduated from the University of Kansas, where she studied English literature and got a masters degree in library sciences. She enjoys reading, cooking and playing with her nephews. Her best friend is her little dog Brady.
