Musical Bodies

Instruments and musical objects from cultures worldwide, exploring the body's role in music.

Why go

The Met's first major exhibition to examine the relationship between musical instruments and the body, spanning ancient Egyptian rattles to Prince's guitars and works by Titian and Degas—a rare cross-disciplinary look at how we express ourselves through sound and form.

What to expect

Gallery 199 features approximately 130 objects including instruments, paintings, sculptures, and drawings tracing connections between the body and music-making across cultures and centuries, from ancient ceremony to contemporary rock and roll.

Things to know

• First major exhibition to explore the relationship between musical instruments and the body.
• Spans 4,000 years of art and music history, from ancient Egypt to contemporary culture.
• Includes one of Prince's most notable guitars alongside works by Titian and Degas.
• Approximately 130 instruments, paintings, sculptures, drawings, and related artworks.
• On view through September 27, 2026 at The Met Fifth Avenue.
• Free with Museum admission.

Plan your visit

Free with Museum admission. Members enjoy early access every weekend from 9–10 am before the Museum opens to the public through September 27. Large-print exhibition text available as PDF download.