At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this private tour will take you into the lesser-known world of art crime. You will learn about a range of offences that occurred inside the Met or were connected to works in its collection, from the looting of antiquities to thefts carried out by the Nazis and even paintings seized directly from museum walls.
As you move through the museum, the guide will share the stories and historical context behind these incidents. Along the way you will explore how certain objects were stolen, how they were traced or recovered, and the legal and ethical questions that surround these cases. You will also encounter parts of the Met’s collection that are tied to these histories, revealing aspects of the institution that are not always on display to visitors.
The focus is on narrative and context, so you will leave with a clearer sense of the complex and sometimes surprising history behind some famous—and infamous—artworks associated with the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Why visit
- Private guide providing insider narratives on museum-related crimes
- Metropolitan Museum of Art artworks linked to thefts and seizures
- Case studies of looting, Nazi theft, and paintings seized off museum walls
- One-of-a-kind tour revealing unknown history of a well-known museum institution
What's included
- Entrance fees
- Professional tour guide (art historian)
What's not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accessible to pushchairs/prams
- Public transport links nearby
Tour available in your selected language
Additional information
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please bring your ticket with you to the attraction.
Be aware that operators may cancel for unforeseen reasons.
You need to be 18 years or older to book. Children must be accompanied by an adult.