What Country Does the Metropolitan Museum's Creche Come From?

And the answer is ...

d) Italy

The famous Baroque creche was originally by Italian sculptor Giuseppe Sammartino; most of his work remains in Naples. When the creche was first displayed in the Met in 1925, the idea of having a decorated tree behind a creche was unusual; typically, they are displayed along. But the donor, Loretta Hines, was adamant about the idea for the original display. Now her daughter continues to personally set up the arrangement every year.

What is the Met's Most Expensive Work of Art?

And the answer is ...

c) Duccio's "Madonna and Child"

Sometimes known as the Met's "Mona Lisa," "Madonna and Child" was medieval master Duccio's last known work in a private collection before it was sold to the museum. Although the sum paid for the painting is confidential, it is known to be the priciest purchase for the Met ever; sources say the museum paid over $45 million. You can see this famed painting, from the 1300s, on permanent collection in the medieval painting gallery!

New York Trivia Tuesday

Founded in 1870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of New York City's most beloved institutions, with millions of visitors every year. It also has one of the more comprehensive collections of art in the world, from modern art to the ancient Egyptian Temple of Dendur, a structure that is one of the museum's most popular attractions.

It isn't, however, the priciest. What artwork did the Met acquire in its most expensive purchase ever, in 2004?

a) Jackson Pollock's "Autumn Rhythm"
b) Limbourg Brothers' "Belles Heures of Jean de France"
c) Duccio's "Madonna and Child"
d) Van Gogh's "Self-Portrait with Straw Hat"

Check back on Thursday for answers to this week's trivia question!