At the Metropolitan Museum,founded in 1870,the permanent collection consists of more than two million works of art from around the world,dating from ancient through modern times.The collection is cared for,studied,and exhibited by nineteen specialized curatorial departments.
Works of art in the permanent collection are displayed in the galleries,which may bear the names of donors who have provided funding for their installation or renovation.Objects that are not on view may be in storage or conservation,or on loan to other institutions.