The Metropolitan Museum of Art, affectionately known as the Met, is one of the world's largest and most comprehensive art museums. Its collection spans 5,000 years of art from across the globe. The Met's holdings include works from classical antiquity and ancient Egypt, paintings and sculptures by European masters, and an extensive collection of American and modern art. Beyond its art collections, the Met is known for its costume institute, musical instruments, and arms and armour. The museum actively expands its collection through purchases and donations, with acquisitions dating back to 1906.