In a groundbreaking partnership, Samsung Electronics has joined forces with New York City’s prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art to enrich the homes of art enthusiasts with a selection of The Met’s most cherished masterpieces. The collaboration, unveiled today, will see these iconic artworks featured on Samsung’s Art Store, providing users of The Frame with an extensive collection of high-resolution digital reproductions from various curatorial departments at The Met.
The Frame by Samsung is renowned for its ability to seamlessly blend into home decor, appearing as an elegant picture frame when not in use. Now, it will also serve as a canvas for some of the world’s most celebrated artworks, spanning a wide array of cultures and historical periods. Users will have access to 38 pieces from The Met’s esteemed departments, including the American Wing, Asian Art, Egyptian Art, European Paintings, Islamic Art, and more.
Among the notable works that Frame owners can display in their homes are Edgar Degas’ “The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage” (circa 1874), Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” (1887), and Paul Cézanne’s “Still Life with Apples and Pot of Primroses” (circa 1890). The collection also features pieces of historical significance, like an Egyptian wedjat eye amulet (circa 1070-664 B.C.) and “The Unicorn Rests in a Garden” (1495-1505), a famed French and South Netherlandish textile from the Unicorn Tapestries. Japanese artworks such as Katsushika Hokusai’s “Under the Mannen Bridge at Fukagawa” (circa 1830-1832) and Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s “Concise Illustrated Biography of Monk Nichiren: Calming the Stormy Sea at Tsunoda in Exile to Sado Island” (1835-1836) are also part of the collection.
Josh Romm, Head of Global Licensing and Partnerships at The Met, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Our collaboration with Samsung activates this mission in a new and modern way, allowing consumers to enjoy iconic works from The Met’s collection at home. As users explore the selection and choose works to display, this program will create a new dialogue about art, creativity, and technology.”
The partnership aligns with The Met’s long-standing commitment to making art and culture accessible to people worldwide. This initiative brings iconic artworks into millions of homes globally, fostering a deeper appreciation for art and culture.
Samsung’s Art Store, one of the largest digital platforms of its kind, already showcases art from museums and galleries worldwide to users of The Frame in 42 countries. The collection spans centuries, featuring old masters like Botticelli and Van Gogh alongside contemporary artists.
Sang Kim, EVP and General Manager of the North America Service Business at Samsung Electronics, remarked, “At Samsung, we’re constantly working to redefine the entertainment experience through technological innovation, and we’re delighted to partner with such an iconic institution to enable [Frame] users for the first time to enjoy The Met’s culturally significant works of art via a modern digital canvas from the comfort of their homes.”
The Frame by Samsung, a 4K Smart TV with a billion shades of color, provides vivid, lifelike TV when in use and transforms into a beautiful art display when switched off. Its Matte Display reduces reflections for a canvas-like finish, allowing users to showcase digital collections from Samsung Art Store along with personal photography and artwork. Users can further customize their space with a range of picture frame-like TV bezels and an auto-rotating wall mount for flexible viewing options.
This exciting collaboration between Samsung and The Met signifies a union of art, culture, and technology, offering users a unique way to engage with the world’s most treasured artworks in the comfort of their own homes. It exemplifies a modern approach to bringing the magic of art to everyday life, making culture and creativity more accessible than ever before.