All the Beauty in the World

The establishment and evolution of museums in America provide helpful context for understanding the significance of institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in All the Beauty in the World. American museums emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, initially as private collections showcasing natural history specimens and curiosities. The first public museum in the United States, the Charleston Museum, was founded in 1773. However, it was during the 19th century that art museums began to take shape, reflecting the nation’s growing wealth and cultural aspirations.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, central to Bringley’s narrative, was founded in 1870 during a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization. This era saw the establishment of several major American museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Art Institute of Chicago, which Bringley mentions visiting in his youth. These institutions were often founded by wealthy patrons and civic leaders who claimed they wanted to elevate public taste and provide educational opportunities for the masses.

The concept of museums as spaces for public education and cultural enrichment gained traction throughout the 20th century. Museums increasingly focused on accessibility and engagement, moving away from the notion of art as solely for the elite.