The Met's Gothic by Design exhibition reveals architectural drawings from April 13 to July 19, 2026

Opening on April 13, 2026, The Metropolitan Museum of Art will present Gothic by Design: The Dawn of Architectural Draftsmanship, an unprecedented exhibition examining Gothic architecture drawings within art history. These rarely seen preparatory works, preserved in a substantial though obscure collection, showcase the innovative contributions of individual architects during the Gothic era. The exhibition aims to introduce this remarkable body of work to both general audiences and scholars, highlighting how drawing practices influenced stylistic developments. Gothic architecture produced monumental structures that remain iconic features of European cityscapes, yet the meticulous design processes behind them have received little attention. The exhibition runs through July 19, 2026, offering the first comprehensive look at these architectural drawings in their proper historical context.