 | | |  |  | | April 2026 |  | | JUST OPENED | Through July 19, 2026
The Met Fifth Avenue | Long before the towers of Gothic cathedrals could pierce the sky, architects outlined their vision and ambitions by creating intricate designs. The Gothic era, known for soaring structures like Notre-Dame in Paris, produced some of the Western world’s most breathtaking buildings. Their overall height, tall spires, pointed arches, and light-filled spaces were a striking departure from the more rounded and fortress-like features of the preceding Romanesque period. These innovative elements resulted from a new focus on the design process that is documented in original architectural drawings.
Gothic by Design: The Dawn of Architectural Draftsmanship reveals how master masons and other artists began to visualize and communicate their complex ideas for cathedrals and other architecture-inspired structures in drawings and, later, prints. Between the 13th and 16th century, these little-known artworks on parchment and paper became a significant factor in the stylistic evolution of Gothic architecture and art at large.
This rare presentation of more than 90 works of art—drawings and prints alongside goldsmith works, architectural elements, sculpture, and painting—sheds new light on the artistic choices and expansive knowledge that informed the Gothic building practice. Explore the vision, imagination, and skillful artistry embedded in the carefully drawn plans of medieval architects and other artists of the day. | | Learn more → | | Exhibition Highlights |  | | Costume Art | | UPCOMING | May 10, 2026–January 10, 2027
The Met Fifth Avenue | | | | | | | | See all current exhibitions → | For more information on the exhibitions, including sponsorship credits, visit Gothic by Design: The Dawn of Architectural Draftsmanship, Costume Art, Independence and Identity: Selections from the Department of Drawings and Prints, Creatures of Myth and Imagination: Europe and the Americas, The Face of Life: Modern Portraits at The Met, Chinese Painting and Calligraphy: Selections from the Collection, Filling in the Gaps: A Selection of Works by the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards New York City Gold Key Recipients, Lillian Bassman: Bazaar and Beyond, The Infinite Artistry of Japanese Ceramics, and Raphael: Sublime Poetry.
For a full list of education program funders, please visit metmuseum.org/educationfundingsupport.
Images: Possibly by Wenzel Roriczer (German, born Bohemia, died 1419). Design for the Entrance Portal of Regensburg Cathedral (detail), ca. 1390–1410. Pen and black ink, over blind ruling with stylus, guided by compass and straightedge, on parchment, Sheet: 53 3/16 × 22 3/8 in. (135.1 × 56.9 cm). Kupferstichkabinett, Akademie der Bildenden Künste Wien (HZ-16871r) | Ensemble, John Galliano for Maison Margiela, autumn/winter 2020–21 haute couture. Courtesy of Maison Margiela; The Veiled Woman, Rafaelle Monti, 1854. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Annie Brinkmann, 1887 (87.7) Artwork by Julie Wolfe. | Willem van den Berg (Dutch, The Hague 1886–1970 Amsterdam). Scheveningen Fisherwoman (detail), 1932. Black and colored chalk on paper. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 2026 | Tairona artist(s), Figure Pendant, Colombia, 900–1600 CE. Gold. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Jan Mitchell and Sons Collection, Gift of Jan Mitchell, 1991 (1991.419.31) | Henri Matisse, Young Sailor II (detail), 1906. Oil on canvas. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection, 1998 | Mi Fu (Chinese, 1051–1107), Poem Written in a Boat on the Wu River (detail), Northern Song dynasty (960–1127), ca. 1095. Handscroll; ink on paper. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of John M. Crawford Jr., in honor of Professor Wen Fong, 1984 (1984.174) | William Baran, Water Droplets (detail). Gold Key, Photography, 2026. Grade 12, School unavailable, Brooklyn, NY. Educator unavailable. | Lillian Bassman (American, 1917–2012). Solarized Fashion Study (detail), ca. 1960. Gelatin silver print. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Lizzie and Eric Himmel © Estate of Lillian Bassman | Dish with Three Jars. Edo period (1615–1868), 1680–90s. Porcelain with cobalt under and polychrome enamels over a transparent glaze (Hizen ware, Nabeshima type), H. 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm); Diam. 6 in. (15.2 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Harry G. C. Packard Collection of Asian Art, Gift of Harry G. C. Packard, and Purchase, Fletcher, Rogers, Harris Brisbane Dick, and Louis V. Bell Funds, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, and The Annenberg Fund Inc. Gift, 1975 (1975.268.563) | | | | |
