We all love the Met for their fabulous Costume Institute, and for the other costume-related masterpieces in the Museum, but there is another artwork in the museum that I love.
As a visitor to the Metropolitan Museum of Art one of the things that intrigued and amazed me was the gorgeous, enormous flower arrangements in the Great Hall. They were so big! And spectacular!
Five enormous, gorgeous flower arrangements in the Great Hall
I noticed them every time I was lucky enough to visit the museum, and later, when I interned at the Met, I got to find out about the flower arrangements, and watch their creation.
The flower arrangements happen thanks to a generous bequest to the museum that pays for their creation. The same florist was responsible for them for decades, and when he finally retired, his son continued the family business, and the link to the Met.
The flowers are installed weekly on Monday mornings, the day the museum is closed to the public. The florist and a helper arrive first thing in the morning, and set to work creating their masterpieces around the hall.
Step 1 – large flowers
The first arrangement to be done is the central vase that sits in the middle of the circular information desk. The vase is actually two vases – a small upper vase, and a large lower vase, which helps to create the full shape of the flower arrangement.
Step 2 – large leaves
If I recall correctly, the entire vase arrangement actually spins, to better allow the florist to create a perfect arrangement in the round, without constantly moving his ladders.
Step 3 – palm fronds
The arrangement is built up in layers of different flowers and leaves.
Palm fronds throughout the vase
The flowers and foliage are carefully chosen to remain fresh and lush throughout the week in the busy, crowded Great Hall.
Step 4 – Contrasting foliage
In the summertime the arrangements are predominantly based on tropical flowers, which can withstand the extreme heat and humidity of a New York summer. All summer long I watched the florist create arrangements of heliconias and parrot flowers, monstera leaves and palm fronds.
Almost done
In the winter, flowers that prefer cooler temperatures are used.
Art in progress from above
One flower is never included the flower arrangements at the Met. Lilies, despite their large size, relative robustness, and the showy splash of colour they provide, are banned. Their strong fragrance irritates many allergy sufferers, and on one particularly hot summer day people in the hall, and especially the staff working under the flowers around the information desk, complained of the scent of the lilies. Then people started fainting. Lilies have not been used since.
A finished flower arrangement in an alcove
My memories are almost 7 years old, and they are based on casual conversations with the florist, but I thought you might still enjoy seeing the images I took, and getting a little glimpse into one of America’s greatest museums. I just think the flowers add so much to the museum, and to the atmosphere of the Great Hall. What a wonderful thing that bequest is, to bring so much life and joy to the visitors, and to add another layer to the Met’s story.
The Great Hall, fully decorated
Thanks for this, it’s amazing!
I was just wondering this afternoon when I will ever see NYC again. I have some amazing memories of The Met.
Wow!
Bequests are amazing things, thanks for telling me a out it through your blog, wonderful!
I absolutely ADORE the flowers!!! They’re the first thing I look at. Thanks so much for the pictures!!!
Thank you so much! What a joy! The beauty of the flowers really enhances the marble glory of the hall. Amazing that the florist is able to keep producing arrangements on such a grand scale, week in, week out. And such a grand bequest.
I am sad to say I have never been to the Met. Thank goodness for the internet!