Prince’s Love Symbol Guitar Hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art as Legendary Musician Would Have Turned 68 Years Old
By Website Content Manager
The new exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art debuted just two days before the late singer would have celebrated her 68th birthday.
More than a decade after his passing, Prince’s influence on music and culture continues to be celebrated.
One of the highlights of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s newly opened exhibition, Musical Bodies, is the legendary musician’s iconic Love Symbol guitar. The exhibition, which debuted on June 5, coincided with the weekend that would have marked Prince’s birthday.
The collection examines the connection between musical instruments and the human body, showcasing how performers interact with and express themselves through their instruments. The project was developed over a seven-year period through the collaboration of Bradley Strauchen-Scherer, a curator in the museum’s Department of Musical Instruments, and lead supporter Barbara Tober, both longtime friends.
Earlier this year, ahead of the tenth anniversary of Prince’s death, his former wife, Mayte Garcia, reflected on the artist’s life and legacy. Prince, a seven-time Grammy Award winner, died from an accidental overdose at his Paisley Park residence in Chanhassen, Minnesota, in 2016.
During the interview, Garcia shared personal memories that offered insight into aspects of Prince’s personality that many fans may not have known. She described him as someone who always took great pride in his appearance and maintained a polished image whenever he was in public. According to Garcia, presenting himself with style and confidence was simply part of who he was and how he lived his life.
She also noted that beyond his musical brilliance and stage presence, Prince possessed a strong sense of humor that often went unnoticed by the public.
Today, Garcia continues to honor his memory through her involvement with Live 4 Love Charities, an organization they founded nearly three decades ago in remembrance of their son, Amiir. Through that work, she helps preserve both Prince’s legacy and the causes that were meaningful to their family.