On Day 3, the Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection API was used as the source of data.
The API contains four endpoints:
- Objects: A listing of all valid Object IDs available for access.
- Object: A record for an object, containing all open access data about that object, including its image (if the image is available under Open Access)
- Departments: A listing of all valid departments, with their department ID and the department display name.
- Search: A listing of all Object IDs for objects that contain the search query within the object’s data
Alteryx was used to connect to the API and retrieve the data. The Search endpoint was used with to collect the ObjectIDs of art pieces of cats and dogs. A combination of the title and q parameters were use, where title was set to true, and q was given either the search term of cat or dog. Setting title to true made sure the artwork contained the search term in the title rather than just in the artists name or elsewhere.
The Alteryx workflow can be seen below.
Once the tables were created the following data model was created in Tableau.
Constituents, measurements, and tags were all related to the main table via ID.
Data Story:
The data story focused on the artistic evolution of cat and dog depictions, uncovering key differences in size, material, and acquisition trends. This analysis was broken into three key sections:
- Size & Dimensional Comparisons – Examining average height, width, and weight of cat- and dog-themed artworks, along with the distribution and notable outliers for each species.
- Material Trends & Artistic Mediums – Identifying the most common materials used for depicting cats and dogs, exploring whether artistic choices reflect cultural symbolism or functional uses.
- Acquisition Patterns Over Time – Analysing how the acquisition of cat- and dog-themed artworks has shifted over the years, highlighting trends in gifts, purchases, and bequests.
Key Findings:
- While more dog-themed artworks exist overall, both species share a similar percentage of public domain pieces.
- Dogs tend to be depicted in larger, heavier artworks, while cats are more often portrayed in taller, more vertical forms.
- Dogs are frequently featured in prints and fine art techniques, reinforcing their role in domestic and hunting scenes, whereas cats are more commonly sculpted in metal, suggesting ritualistic and symbolic significance.
- Before 1912, cat artworks were acquired more often, but since then, dog-themed acquisitions have dominated, reflecting shifting cultural preferences in artistic representation.
Author: Troy
Troy holds degrees in Science, IT, and Education. These have equipped him with a multidisciplinary foundation combining analytical thinking, problem-solving, and technical proficiency. During his graduate studies at CSIRO, where he analysed genetic sequence data and gene expression profiles as part of a broader research project, he developed a deep interest in uncovering insights through data. After several years as a STEM educator, Troy has transitioned back to being data-focused, bringing a unique perspective shaped by his teaching experience and ability to convey complex ideas effectively. His skills cover the entire data lifecycle, from data cleaning and analysis to creating effective visualisations that support decision-making. In his free time, Troy enjoys trail running and staying active, relishing the chance to clear his mind and explore the outdoors.