All the Beauty in the World

Patrick Bringley is the author of All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me, which chronicles his decade-long experience as a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Born into a family that valued art and creativity, Bringley’s early exposure to the arts came through his parents. His mother, Maureen, an art history minor in college and a Chicago theater actor, regularly took Bringley and his siblings to the Art Institute of Chicago. His father, a community banker with a passion for music, instilled in him an appreciation for artistic expression through his dedication to playing piano.

After college, Bringley initially pursued a career in journalism and publishing, working at The New Yorker magazine, a position immersed him in New York City’s literary and cultural world. However, his life took a dramatic turn when his older brother Tom was diagnosed with cancer and passed away at age 26. Seeking a drastic change following this loss, Bringley left his prestigious job at The New Yorker and applied for a position as a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This unconventional career move forms the basis of his memoir.

Bringley’s unique background—combining his family’s artistic influences, his education, his publishing experience, and his decade as a museum guard—allowed him to create a memoir that bridges the gap between academic art appreciation and everyday experience. All the Beauty in the World has garnered significant acclaim since its publication. The book has received praise from numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian. It has also been recognized as a notable work by various institutions, with the New York Public Library and NPR naming it among their best books of the year. The Sunday Times in London distinguished it as the outstanding art book of 2023, while it also claimed the 2023 Marfield Prize for exceptional writing about the arts. Additionally, the memoir was a finalist for the Gotham Prize, further cementing its literary merit. The global appeal of Bringley’s work is also evident in the international translations of his book, and it has become a national bestseller in South Korea.

Beyond his writing, Bringley has leveraged his extensive knowledge of art and the museum environment to become a tour guide and lecturer. He now conducts both public and private tours of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, sharing his insights and experiences with art enthusiasts. His expertise has led to speaking engagements at numerous institutions across the United States, including the National Gallery, Museum of Fine Art Boston, and the Dallas Museum of Art. The success of All the Beauty in the World has opened up new creative avenues for Bringley; he is currently adapting his memoir into a one-man play, set to debut at the Charleston Literary Festival in November 2024.

Bringley’s journey from a New Yorker magazine employee to a museum guard and subsequently to an acclaimed author and tour guide illustrates a career trajectory shaped by personal tragedy and a deep appreciation for art. His story, rooted in his family's early influence on his artistic sensibilities, has evolved into a multifaceted career that continues to explore the intersections of art, life, and human experience.