In need of some summer reading? If so, look no further than the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s website. What once simply provided descriptions of its world-famous permanent collection, information about its exhibitions, and a way to pick up some Met-themed merchandise now offers an extensive and eclectic selection of free online books.
With an art historical focus, this comprehensive collection of over 1,600 full-text titles features everything from African to American art. Like traditional print editions, nearly every online art book features a table of contents and information about the author. Unlike hardcopies, however, the Met’s free online book also include readers’ reviews, a list of any awards won, and helpful links to related reads available on the Met website and in print. Additionally, most books can be both read conveniently online or downloaded as a handy PDF to your device.
Fortunately, finding this treasure trove of free books is a simple and self-explanatory endeavor. Once you’re on the museum’s website, simply click onto the MetPublications page. Here, you’ll be offered several different types of literature, like exhibition catalogues and educational resources. For the selection of free, full-length books, simply click onto “Books with Full-Text Online“—though we encourage you to peruse through all of the other available publications, too.
Nothing beats curling up with a good (online) book!
Attention, art lovers! The Met Museum is now offering over 1,600 full-length, free books online. Scroll down to sneak a peek at this comprehensive collection of free online books.
Left: Masterpieces of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Center: The Age of Caravaggio
Right: Art and Love in Renaissance Italy
Left: Masterpieces of European Painting, 1800–1920, in The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Center: Art, Biology, and Conservation: Biodeterioration of Works of Art
Right: Words and Images: Chinese Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting
Left: Genesis: Ideas of Origin in African Sculpture
Center: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
Right: High Style: Masterworks from the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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All images via the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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