The Metropolitan Museum and Neue Galerie announce merger planned for 2028

Sunday 17 May 2026 - 13:45

The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Neue Galerie have announced plans to merge in 2028, creating a major partnership in the cultural landscape of New York City.

The agreement aims to preserve and expand the legacy of the Neue Galerie, which is internationally recognized for its collection of early 20th-century Austrian and German art. Founded in 2001, the museum became famous for exhibiting masterpieces by artists such as Gustav Klimt, including the iconic Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, often referred to as “The Woman in Gold.”

As part of the merger, businessman and art collector Ronald Lauder and his family are expected to donate several important works from their private collection to the combined institution. The donation reportedly includes paintings by major European artists linked to expressionism and modern art movements.

Museum officials described the merger as an opportunity to strengthen artistic preservation, increase public access to rare collections, and reinforce New York’s role as a global cultural capital.

The announcement has drawn significant attention in the international art world, where experts view the partnership as one of the most important museum collaborations in recent years.