For artwork historical past nerds like myself, the 2026 Met Gala‘s “Trend Is Artwork” costume code grew to become an thrilling sport of spot-the-reference. Some art-inspired homages melded completely with the Claude Monet-esque crimson carpet, whereas others felt lackluster (see: Lauren Sánchez Bezos’ “Madame X” recreation).
Many visitors traveled again to historical Greece for inspiration, with Anne Hathaway nodding to her upcoming position in “The Odyssey” with a Grecian pottery-inspired robe, Heidi Klum reworking right into a real-life marble statue, Serena Williams glittering in an asymmetrical silver costume paired with gladiator heels and Kendall Jenner referencing Winged Victory of Samothrace together with her customized GapStudio robe.
Renaissance influences confirmed up on the carpet by way of Lena Dunham’s feathered Valentino robe depicting the grotesque blood spurts central to Artemisia Gentileschi’s “Judith Slaying Holofernes,” whereas Rachel Zegler honored “The Execution of Girl Jane Gray” with an all-white costume and sheer eye masks. Moreover, Charli XCX referenced Vincent van Gogh’s “Irises,” Jessica Kayll hand-painted Monet’s “Water Lilies” on a voluminous costume and Hunter Schafer embodied Gustav Klimt’s “Mäda Primavesi.”
Forward, we have rounded up the night’s standout art-inspired ensembles in your personal artwork historical past lesson.
Rachel Zegler on the 2026 Met Gala.
Picture: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Photographs for The Met Museum/Vogue
Gracie Abrams in Chanel on the 2026 Met Gala Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Photographs
Kendall Jenner in Hole Studio on the 2026 Met Gala. Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Photographs
Picture: Theo Wargo/FilmMagic
Picture: Mike Coppola/Getty Photographs
Hunter Schafer on the 2026 Met Gala. Picture: Theo Wargo/FilmMagic
Picture: Julian Hamilton/Getty Photographs
Picture: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Photographs for The Met Museum/Vogue
Heidi Klum on the 2026 Met Gala. Picture: Mike Coppola/Getty Photographs
Angela Bassett in Prabal Gurung on the 2026 Met Gala. Picture: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Photographs for The Met Museum/Vogue
Picture: Michael Loccisano/GA/The Hollywood Reporter by way of Getty Photographs
Picture: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Photographs for The Met Museum/Vogue
Yu-Chi Lyra Kuo on the 2026 Met Gala Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Photographs
Lena Dunham in Valentino on the 2026 Met Gala Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Photographs
Charli xcx in Saint Laurent on the 2026 Met Gala Picture: John Shearer/WireImage
Jessica Kayll on the 2026 Met Gala
Lauren Sánchez Bezos in Schiaparelli on the 2026 Met Gala Picture: Michael Buckner/Penske Media by way of Getty Picture
Amy Sherald in Thom Browne on the 2026 Met Gala Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Photographs
Picture: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Photographs for The Met Museum/Vogue
Madonna on the 2026 Met Gala, referencing “The Temptation Of St. Anthony. Fragment II” by Leonora Carrington. Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Photographs
Rosé in Saint Laurent on the 2026 Met Gala. Picture: Michael Loccisano/GA/The Hollywood Reporter by way of Getty Photographs
Kylie Jenner in Schiaparelli on the 2026 Met Gala Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Photographs
Cardi B on the 2026 Met Gala. Picture: Mike Coppola/Getty Photographs
Picture: Theo Wargo/FilmMagic
