A Young Rockefeller Vanished in 1961. The Met’s New Wing Celebrates His Memory
The New York TimesThursday, May 29, 2025 at 4:25:26 PM
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is opening a new wing dedicated to Michael Rockefeller, the young heir who disappeared in 1961 while collecting Indigenous art in New Guinea. His twin sister, Mary Rockefeller Morgan, spearheaded the effort to honor both her family’s legacy as collectors and the Indigenous art Michael cherished. The wing serves as a tribute to his passion—and the enduring mystery of his fate.
Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another museum expansion—it’s a deeply personal story blending art, family, and unresolved history. The Rockefellers are synonymous with wealth and influence, but this wing highlights a lesser-known chapter: one of curiosity, cultural appreciation, and tragedy. It also raises questions about how museums engage with Indigenous art and the complicated legacies of collectors. For art lovers, it’s a chance to see a collection shaped by obsession and loss.
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