NEW YORK, NY.- The Metropolitan Museum of Art (“The Met”) and the Ronald S. Lauder Neue Galerie New York (“the Neue Galerie”) today announced plans for a landmark agreement to merge the Neue Galerie with The Met in 2028. The agreement would bring together the most significant collection of 20th-century Austrian and German art outside Europe under a single institution—while preserving the Neue Galerie’s unique museum experience. Timed with the Neue Galerie’s 25th anniversary, the agreement marks a transformative step in preserving and advancing this extraordinary cultural legacy for future generations.

The Neue Galerie’s collection features iconic works by Gustav Klimt—including the famed Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I—and by Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Max Beckmann, Gabriele Münter, Josef Hoffmann, and more. The historic joining of the two institutions reflects Ronald S. Lauder’s longstanding vision for the Neue Galerie and a shared commitment with The Met to ensure access in perpetuity to the Neue Galerie’s distinguished collection and beloved museum space.

Extending his decades-long leadership in building one of the most important collections of its kind, The Met and the Neue Galerie also announced that Mr. Lauder and his daughter Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer are planning to donate a selection of 13 outstanding 20th-century Austrian and German paintings from their personal collection to the combined institutions, which would further enhance the strength and depth of the Museum’s collection and enrich the stories it can share about this pivotal period in art history. Gifts to be made by Mr. Lauder upon closing the agreement include: Gustav Klimt's exceptional, large-scale portrait Die Tänzerin (The Dancer) circa 1916–18; Ernst Ludwig Kirchner's Die Russische Tänzerin Mela (The Russian Dancer Mela) from 1911; and Max Beckmann's Galleria Umberto from 1925. Future promised gifts by Mr. Lauder and Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer include Klimt's The Black Feather Hat (1910), and noted works by Otto Dix, George Grosz, Franz Marc, and more.

As part of their long-term commitment to the stewardship of the Neue Galerie, Ronald S. Lauder and Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer also plan to make a substantial gift to support an endowment funding the long-term care and preservation of the Neue Galerie, with a further pledge of significant funds to support costs associated with the integration of the collection and building operations.

In support of this historic gift and undertaking, and to sustain the operations of The Met and the Neue Galerie in perpetuity, several Met Trustees have made generous gifts towards establishing a significant endowment. The important lead gift comes from Met Trustee Marina Kellen French, a longtime supporter of The Met and a deeply connected and passionate supporter of the art represented at the Neue Galerie's collection, which has deep ties to her family history. Initial major funds have also been pledged by Met Trustees Candace K. Beinecke, Jim Breyer, Daniel Brodsky, Richard Lockwood Chilton Jr., Betsy Cohen, Stephen M. Cutler, Robert Denning, Blair Effron, Amy Griffin, Yan Huo, Hamilton ("Tony") E. James, Michael B. Kim, Julia Koch, Sacha Lainovic, Janice Y.K. Lee, Dasha Zhukova Niarchos, John Pritzker, Frank E. Richardson, Jennifer Rubio, Alejandro Santo Domingo, Karen Seymour, Beatrice Stern, Gaby Sulzberger, David Winter, and other anonymous donors.

As part of his personal reflection on the transition (which can be read in full below), Ronald S. Lauder, Co-Founder, President, and Chairman of the Neue Galerie, said, “For the past twenty-five years, the Neue Galerie’s exhibitions, permanent collection, design and book shops, and Café Sabarsky have created an experience that transports visitors to another time—early twentieth-century Vienna and Weimar Germany. The merger with The Met in 2028 will preserve and strengthen the Neue Galerie’s legacy in perpetuity. I am especially grateful to Max Hollein for his leadership and deep understanding of the historical importance of this collection. Under his direction, The Met continues to stand not only as one of the world’s great museums, but as a steadfast guardian of culture, memory, and identity. I am confident that Max and The Met are well positioned to help steward this legacy into the future. Through this partnership, we can carry the Neue Galerie forward with distinction.”

Max Hollein, The Met’s Marina Kellen French Director and CEO, said: "Ronald Lauder is a collector like none other. Among his many areas of connoisseurship, fin de siècle art from Austria and Germany is closest to his heart. Ronald has established a museum that is itself a work of art, and ultimately a profound reflection of his passion, expertise, and philanthropy. We are deeply grateful to Ronald, Aerin, and their family for their generosity and long-standing commitment to sharing their glorious collection with the world, and honored to carry on their tremendous legacy. I also extend my gratitude to Marina Kellen French, and our many Trustees who have so generously stepped forward to support this initiative."

Candace K. Beinecke and Hamilton (“Tony”) E. James, Co-Chairs of The Met’s Board of Trustees, said: “On behalf of The Met’s trustees, we extend our gratitude to Ronald S. Lauder and his family for their exceptional generosity and visionary philanthropy. We are honored that Mr. Lauder has looked to The Met to unite our institutions and entrusted us to preserve the Neue Galerie’s collection and galleries for the public to enjoy.”

Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer, Met trustee and longtime supporter of the Neue Galerie, said, “The Neue Galerie represents a lifelong passion for my father and a legacy our family is proud to help carry forward. To see it join The Met is incredibly meaningful. It ensures these works will continue to be preserved, studied, and shared with the widest possible audience for generations to come.”

Renée Price, Founding Director of the Neue Galerie, said, “Over the past 25 years, the Neue Galerie has built a sterling reputation for superb scholarship, exhibitions, publications, exclusive Design Shop objects, and more. Through the efforts of our devoted staff, we have fulfilled our mission of creating a beloved museum of early twentieth-century Austrian and German art and design, one that I’m pleased will now have a permanent home as a part of The Met.”

Marina Kellen French, Met Trustee and longtime supporter of The Met and friend of the Neue Galerie, said, “One of the greatest joys of being a New Yorker is visiting The Met and the Neue Galerie frequently. I inherited a love of the arts from my parents, and as a philanthropist and collector, it has been gratifying to celebrate the wonders of The Met and the Neue Galerie with their many audiences. I have long been a supporter of the Neue Galerie and a champion of The Met. With my two beloved museums now coming together, the cultural lives of New Yorkers and visitors from around the world will be further enriched. It’s a privilege to be part of this extraordinary endeavor.”

About the Merger

The Met and the Neue Galerie plan to complete the merger and bring the Neue Galerie's collection and its William Starr Miller House under The Met's ownership in 2028, following all necessary approvals. Upon completion, the Neue Galerie and the William Starr Miller House will be renamed The Met Ronald S. Lauder Neue Galerie. The combined museum would continue to display the collection, pursue programming, and welcome visitors to its galleries, shops, and the popular Café Sabarsky. The Neue Galerie's broader assets, including its endowment, will transfer to The Met and help support the collection and operations. The Met Ronald S. Lauder Neue Galerie will join The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters as the newest member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Supported by The Met and the Neue Galerie's curatorial and operational expertise, the merger would augment the Neue Galerie’s programs and research capacities, as well as introduce the collection to wider audiences, both locally and internationally, through expanded interpretation, digital initiatives, and collaborative programming. It also creates new opportunities for research and curatorial exchange, enabling The Met and the Neue Galerie’s works to be explored and presented in new and dynamic ways that honor the founding missions of both institutions.

To guide this next chapter, The Met and the Neue Galerie would jointly establish a dedicated Special Advisory Board, with Ronald S. Lauder serving as its inaugural Chair.