Losben 1Samantha LosbenH72.3049February 24, 2010ObservationsAn Observational Study:Comparing the Metropolitan Museum and the Morgan Library & MuseumMuseums, archives, and libraries attract different types of people for different reasons. However, there are a lot of factors that contribute to the types and amounts of patrons an institution might receive. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Morgan Library & Museum are two different institutions in terms of size and collection. Observations were conducted at eachplace in both special exhibits and permanent collections with the duration of each visit being approximately two to three hours long. The observations made at each place helps establish whovisits certain institutions and how displays dictate behavior. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the largest collections in the world. Founded in 1870, the mission of the museum, according to the Met’s website, is “to collect, preserve, study, exhibit, and stimulate appreciation for and advance knowledge of works of art that collectively represent the broadest spectrum of human achievement at the highest level of quality, all in the service of the public and in accordance with the highest professional standards1.The museum is known for its widespread art collection, particularly its medieval art collection and 19th century European art collection. The museum is comprised of more than two million works of art spanning over 5,000 years across the world2. Among its permanent collections, there are paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and period rooms, as well as other artifacts. They 1 “About the Met.” Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accessed Online February 17, 2010. <http://www.metmuseum.org/about/>2 Ibid.Losben 2also have several special exhibits at any given time. The museum is normally closed on Mondays, however, on certain Monday holidays, such as Memorial Day and President’s Day, the museum is open from 9:30 am to 5:30pm. One unique factor that may have played a role in whatwas observed is my visit took place during the afternoon on Monday, February 15—President’s Day. My observations were conducted in two areas of the museum. The first part of my observations took place in a current exhibit entitled “Drawings of Bronzino,” while the second part of the observation took place in the 19th and early 20th century European Paintings gallery.The Bronzino exhibit is a popular attraction highlighting the work of Italian artist Agnolo Bronzino (1503-1572) who was commissioned to do several works for the Duke Cosimo I de' Medici and his wife the Duchess Eleonora di Toledo. The exhibit features sixty of his drawings and earlier sketches of his famous works that have never been on public display. Located on the second floor of the museum, the exhibit was placed near the 19th and early 20th century European paintings. The exhibition space is set up in three open rooms, with two ways of entering, as the middle room has a rope in front the its entrance. However, though the room on the left is markedas “Enter” and the room on the right marked as “Exit,” visitors would enter through both doorways. There was one guard who mainly stood outside looking into each room. Occasionally, he would remind patrons that no photography in the exhibit was allowed. Outside of the exhibit was a small gift shop stand that featured an accompanying guide to the exhibit as well as other merchandise sold throughout the museum. The first two rooms displayed the drawings and sketches both on the wall as well as in glass stands in the middle of the room. The last room contained two benches in the middle of theroom, while the art was displayed on the wall. The exhibit was quite popular as there were never less than fifteen people in each of the rooms. The visitors were predominately older with theLosben 3majority ranging from middle age to senior citizens. However, there was a fair amount of younger patrons, including a few children. There also seemed to be slightly more women, particularly of the senior citizens. Most people were there in groups of friends or families, as well as many couples. There were also a few individuals. In terms of demographics, the visitors appeared to be predominately middle-class and Caucasian. However, there were many difference ethnic groups and nationalities present. At least twenty-five percent of the visitors used audio guides, and of those they were usually older and on their own. In the last room, most of the visitors stood as they looked at the art; however, many also sat on the bench. There were also a few people, mainly children, sitting on the floor sketching. Some of the younger visitors were not there to really see the exhibit, and instead complained of it being too warm and played on their cell phones. Most patrons, who were in groups or couples, would look at a piece and then talk about it or point something out. One interesting conversation that was overheard duringan observation from sitting on a bench was from two elderly women also sitting on the bench in the last room, discussing the technology that allows scientists to look under the paintings. Their discussion started with the work, but then it quickly went to discussing European cities and their trips to those cities, lastly to cruises, specifically the “Queen Mary,” and other trips. While they stayed in one spot for over twenty minutes, most people were walking through and spending onlya few minutes on each piece, before moving on.The observations made from the permanent collection contrast somewhat significantly with the observations from the special exhibit. Continuing on the second floor to the nearby permanent collection of the 19th and early 20th European Paintings and Sculpture. The major differences that are seen right away is that area of the collection is larger and brighter. The Bronzino exhibit was dimly lit and more intimate. The permanent collection was more spreadLosben 4out and contained much more open space. Also, the noise level was significantly louder with more people talking, including a tour guide giving a lecture on a Renoir painting and Impressionism to a group of people. Also, there were several guards walking around, but they mostly looked bored. One guard was writing in a notebook, while another one was slouching against the wall. Another noticeable difference in this part of the museum was the use of photography.