Learn About MoMA's Extensive Art Collection

MoMA Collection

In 1929, the MoMA art collection had only 8 prints and 1 drawing. Currently, the evolving MoMA collection is made up of over 200,000 artworks including paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs, architecture, film, media, design, and more.

1880s-1940s

On the 5th-floor galleries of the MoMA Museum, you can find artworks from the years 1880 - 1940. There are galleries devoted to an artist such as Henri Matisse or a specific creative medium. A few of the famous artworks that you can find on this floor are Les Demoiselles d’Avignon by Picasso (503) and Water Lilies by Claude Monet (515), among others. There are several galleries with new artworks on display where you can observe surrealism, portraits, abstract artwork, and more.

1950s-1970s

The completed works of artists between 1950 and 1980 can be found on the 4th floor of the MoMA Museum. From architecture and design to printing, you will find all kinds of artwork in the galleries here. A few famous works to look out on this floor are No. 10 by Mark Rothko (403), Andy Warhol’s Campbell's Soup Cans (412), and Romare Bearden’s Patchwork Quilt (416).

1980s- Present

If you are looking for artworks from the 1980s to the present year, then head to the 2nd floor of the Museum of Modern Art. The artworks here are arranged in loose chronological order with each gallery exploring a particular topic, such as artist, a medium, or discipline. Some of the best works to look out for here are House of Hope by Montien Boonma (213), Untitled by Darrel Ellis (209), and Mike Kelley's Deodorized Central Mass with Satellites (207).

NYC MoMA Collection Highlights

Vincent van Gogh, The Starry Night (1889)

An iconic oil painting that is a major artwork from the Impressionist period, The Starry Night landscape was inspired by the year Van Gogh spent at the Saint-Paul de Mausole asylum in France. One can view this masterpiece in Gallery 501, Floor 5 at MoMA.

Henri Rousseau, The Dream (1910)

The Dream depicts a woman reclining on a sofa, in the middle of a lush, moonlit jungle filled with wild animals. It can be found at Gallery 501 on Floor 5 of the Museum of Modern Art.

Pablo Picasso, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907)

One of the most popular works of Picasso, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon displays the angular representation of women in a brothel. Visitors can find this artwork in Gallery 503 on Floor 5 of NYC MoMA.

Henri Matisse, The Piano Lesson (1916)

The Piano Lesson is a personal piece by Henri Matisse that shows his son, Pierre, and his inevitable introduction to manhood. It can be found in Gallery 506, Floor 5 in the Museum of Modern Art.

Kazimir Malevich, White on White (1918)

White on White is an attempt by the artist to reach transcendence via supreme manifestation. This radical painting can be viewed in Gallery 507 located on Floor 5 at MoMA.

Salvador Dalì, The Persistence of Memory (1931)

The artist calls this artwork ‘hand-painted dream photographs’ and one can notice the abstract flow in this painting. It is considered one of the best works in surrealism and can be found in Gallery 517 located on Floor 5 at MoMA New York.

People viewing at the Frida Kahlo, My Grandparents, My Parents, and I

Frida Kahlo, My Grandparents, My Parents, and I (1936)

My Grandparents, My Parents, and I is Frida Kahlo's interpretation of her family tree, where she shows herself as a zygote, fetus, and child. One can find this painting in gallery 521 on Floor 5 at NYC MoMA.

Mike Kelley, Deodorized Central Mass with Satellites (1991/99)

Deodorized Central Mass with Satellites is one of Mike Kelley's last works with stuffed animals. It consists of one central feature surrounded by 13 satellites, which are surrounded by 10 abstract sculptures that release a scented mist in the air. This installation is on view at Gallery 207 on Floor 4 in NYC MoMA.

Andy Warhol, Campbell's Soup Cans (1962)

One of the major artworks in the pop art genre, this artwork is a collection of 32 canvases that display Campbell’s soup cans in different flavors. Check out this artwork in Gallery 412 on Floor 4 of the Museum of Modern Art.

Roy Lichtenstein, Drowning Girl (1963)

Known for Pop Art, Roy Lichtenstein’s Drowning Girl is a part of the Permanent Collection of MoMA on view on Floor 4. The printing method and the use of the speech bubble give it a comic book feel and have been said to be a ‘masterpiece in melodrama’.

MoMA exhibitions >

Film

Founded in 1935, the Film Library at MoMA has now over 30,000 films and 1.5 million stills. One of the best international film collections, this film library has films from all periods and genres. In the MoMA collection, you will find original negatives of Biograph and Edison companies. And if that’s not enough, the Film Library is also the largest collector of Griffith films in the world. The entire collection is safely stored in the Museum’s Celeste Bartos Film Preservation Center.

While you’re there, make sure to schedule an appointment to visit the MoMA Film Study Center to gather more knowledge about the history of films. Also check out the Circulating Library that collects films showcasing the historical and artistic evolution of cinema.

About MoMA's film department

Media and Performance

MoMA houses time-based art dating since the 1960s. In the department, located on the third floor of The Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building, you will find moving images, film installations, video, performance, motion- and sound-based works, and other works that represent time or duration.

About MoMA's Media & Performance

Photography

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has a holding of more than 25,000 works of photography that has been curated since 1930. Keeping with MoMA's interdisciplinary methods, the collection includes work not only by photographers, but also by journalists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and amateurs.

About MoMA's Photography department

Artwork in Public Spaces

After the reopening of the NYC MoMA Museum in 2019, the museum trustees decided to display six long-term artworks in the public spaces to celebrate the reopening. These site-specific contemporary artworks can be found in the Samuel and Ronnie Heyman Lobby, the Carroll and Milton Petrie Terrace Cafe, Cafe 2, the Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building, and the Louise Reinhardt Smith Gallery. In these public spaces, visitors will see the new artworks by Yoko Ono, Kerstin Bratsch, Goshka Macuga, Phillippe Parreno, and Experimental Jetset.

Furthermore, Haim Steinbach’s large-scale work, acquired at the reopening, is also on view in the public space spaces.

MoMA Library

The Museum of Modern Art Library is a non-circulation collection of modern and contemporary art. It includes prints, painting, sculpture, architecture, drawings, design, video, film, performance, and emerging art films from 1880 to the present. It also holds a collection of photographs since 1830. There are approximately 300,000 books and exhibition logs, more than 1,000 periodic titles, and 40,000 files on artists and their groups.

The MoMA Library’s catalog is known as Dadabase. This catalog has information on all the materials available in the Library such as periodicals, books, artists’ books, pamphlet files, and more. All researchers can access the library materials by taking an appointment from the proper authorities.

MoMA digital archive

In 2016, MoMA made a landmark digital move by making all its past exhibitions from its inception in 1929 available accessible online as a part of its digital archives. Which means, researchers, historians, students, and any modern art lover can glance through all the exhibitions and artwork right from their homes. The digital archives include at least 3500+ exhibitions, installation photographs, catalogs, press releases, and more. The best part? It’s absolutely free of cost! This goes well with their mission of encouraging a deeper understanding of modern and contemporary art.

Visitor Tips

Mornings are the best time to enjoy quieter moments with iconic pieces like Van Gogh's Starry Night or Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon.
You can plan your visit around specific collections to make the most of your visit to the museum. Try setting time out in the mornings for photography, afternoons for modern classics, and evenings for special exhibitions.
Plan to allocate at least 2-3 hours to explore the vast permanent collection of the museum.
Make the museum's map your best friend on your visit to MoMA! Use it to navigate efficiently and focus on must-see areas like the Sculpture Garden.
Guided tours are a great resource for expert insights into the artworks.
To fully absorb the diversity of MoMA's extensive holdings without a sensory overload, take breaks between visiting galleries.
Make use of the free audio guide to delve deeper into the stories behind key artworks and artists.
If you have the time, be sure to explore lesser-known areas like the Prints and Illustrated Books section for hidden gems and unique perspectives.
Adhere to MoMA's photography policies, respect artwork, and refrain from flash photography.
It’s a fabulous idea to end your visit with a stroll through the Sculpture Garden which offers a serene oasis amidst the bustling cityscape of New York.

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Frequently asked questions about MoMA Collections

How many pieces of art are at MoMA?

There are almost 200,000 works of modern and contemporary art in the MoMA Museum.

Do I need to buy separate tickets to view the special collections at MoMA?

No, there is a single ticket to gain viewing access to the MoMA art collection. You can buy MoMA ticket here.

When did MoMA acquire its first artworks?

The first MoMA art collection consisted of 8 prints and 1 drawing, acquired in 1929. The artworks were a donation by Paul J. Sachs, one of the 7 founding trustees of the MoMA museum.

How many exhibitions are held at MoMA annually?

There is no fixed number of exhibitions held at the MoMA Museum every year. However, in 2021, there were over 100 exhibitions held at MoMA.

What are the most famous paintings at MoMA?

Some of the most famous paintings that can be found in the MoMA Collection include The Starry Night (Vincent Van Gogh), Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (Pablo Picasso), The Dream (Henri Rousseau), Water Lilies (Claude Monet), and more.

How many pieces of art from MoMA’s collection can be viewed online?

Out of the 200,000 artworks in the MoMA collection, over 104,000 artworks can be viewed online.