Met Gala 2023: Looks vs. Loot

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is synonymous with the famous ornate structure on 5th Avenue in New York City and with halls and halls of masterpieces from Egyptian Sarcophagi to Van Gogh portraits.

But despite its honorable mission, the Met is implicated in a growing number of scandals, investigations, and criminal prosecutions surrounding its collection.

Last night, as glittering celebrities attended the annual Met Gala dressed in couture, the AC was spotlighting some of the contested objects that have been seized and repatriated from the collection of America's largest art collection in looks vs. loot.

See the Looks… and the Loot

Our favorite looks vs. loot from past Met Galas, comparing celebrity fashion statements with contested objects seized and returned from the Met's collection.

Not Just Today's News

Read our past statements on America's largest art museum.

The AC: The Met Museum Must Continue to Enhance Transparency of its Collection - Antiquities Coalition

The Antiquities Coalition welcomes a new feature from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (the Met), which seeks to explain how it came into possession of its “1.5 […]

Antiquities Coalition

Antiquities Coalition: Metropolitan Museum of Art Should Convene Task Force Against Cultural Racketeering - Antiquities Coalition

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York needs to take strong, concrete, and immediate action following reports linking it to an organized trafficking network that smuggled millions of dollars […]

Antiquities Coalition

Antiquities Coalition: Art World Must Remain Vigilant Against “Blood Antiquities” Threat - Antiquities Coalition

Statement Follows Reports Implicating Metropolitan Museum of Art and Former Louvre Director in Trafficking Conspiracy The Antiquities Coalition commends Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for the seizure of 5 Egyptian […]

Antiquities Coalition

Read recent articles featuring quotes from AC leadership.

Where Did the Met Get Its Native American Artwork?

Only a small percentage of works donated by Charles and Valerie Diker have clear ownership histories. Experts say this could mean objects are stolen or fake. Meanwhile, the Met has been slow to ask tribes for information about the items.

ProPublica

More than 1000 artifacts in Metropolitan Museum of Art catalog linked to alleged looting and trafficking figures - ICIJ

Reporters pinpointed the pieces, from India to Italy to Egypt, in North America’s largest museum. What do the findings mean for the Met’s future – and the future of all museums?

ICIJ

Laugh or Cry? Watch clips of John Oliver asking the tough questions of the Met.

On Kim Kardashian:

On dealings with disreputable dealers:

While the Met Gala gives us an occasion for satire, we must continue to ask serious questions about museums. The Antiquities Coalition, as leaders in the fight against cultural racketeering, again urges the Met to reevaluate its role in ending these crimes.

We hope you will join us in our mission to ensure the past is preserved for the next generation—not stolen, smuggled, and sold to the highest bidder. To learn more about our work, and the threats facing our shared cultural heritage, visit our website at theantiquitiescoalition.org.

Met Gala pictures credit to Getty Images. Kim Kardashian photo credit to Landon Nordeman.