The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Neue Galerie in New York have announced a merger set for 2028. The Neue Galerie, founded by collector Ronald S. Lauder, will become The Met Ronald S. Lauder Neue Galerie, absorbing the most significant collection of early 20th-century Austrian and German art outside Europe, including Gustav Klimt's "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I." Lauder and his daughter Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer will donate thirteen major works from their private collection, and a fundraising campaign has been launched to support the integration.
This merger marks a major redefinition of the American museum landscape, consolidating the Met's expansion strategy under director Max Hollein. By incorporating the Neue Galerie's unique identity—including its permanent collection, design shop, and Café Sabarsky—the Met extends its cultural footprint along Fifth Avenue while preserving a beloved institution's legacy. The deal also strengthens the Met's holdings in modern and contemporary art ahead of its new wing designed by Frida Escobedo, scheduled for 2030.