I downloaded a book on Van Gogh's drawing, beautiful. http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Vincent_va...

The Met is really on top of their digital game. Their website is super informative, functional, and attractive. I didn't use their app but it seems very comprehensive. My only complaint is that it's iOS only, grumble grumble.

Here are some that I found fascinating. These are all downloadable. Enjoy!

Canvas Matches in Vermeer: A Case Study in the Computer Analysis of Fabric Supports http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/search-pub...

Art and Autoradiography: Insights into the Genesis of Paintings by Rembrandt, Van Dyck, and Vermeer http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Art_and_Au...

All the Mighty World: The Photographs of Roger Fenton, 1852–1860 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/All_the_Mi...

Photography Between the Wars: Selections from the Ford Motor Company Collection http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Photograph...

Art and the Empire City: New York, 1825–1861 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Art_and_th...

Art and Anatomy in Renaissance Italy: Images from a Scientific Revolution http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Art_and_An...

Leonardo da Vinci: Anatomical Drawings http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Leonardo_d...

The Scepter of Egypt: A Background for the Study of the Egyptian Antiquities in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Vol. 1 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Scepte...

Ancient Egyptian Calligraphy http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Ancient_Eg...

Chess: East and West, Past and Present http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Chess_East...

American Musical Instruments in The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/American_M...

Helmets and Body Armor in Modern Warfare http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Helmets_an...

Of Arms and Men: Arms and Armor at the Metropolitan http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Of_Arms_an...

The Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Art_of...

European Helmets, 1450–1650 http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/European_H...

The Wild Man: Medieval Myth and Symbolism http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Wild_M...

Greek Art From Prehistoric to Classical http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Greek_Art_...

Along the Ancient Silk Routes: Central Asian Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Along_the_...

Words and Images: Chinese Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Words_and_...

Momoyama: Japanese Art in the Age of Grandeur http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Momoyama_J...

Islamic Art and Geometric Design: Activities for Learning http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Islamic_Ar...

Vincent van Gogh: The Drawings http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Vincent_va...

Picasso and Gertrude Stein http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Picasso_an...

The Care and Handling of Art Objects: Practices in The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Care_a...

Masterpieces of The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Masterpiec...

Masterpieces of Painting in The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/Masterpiec...

Nice list! Thanks for making it.

Can anyone recommend some specific books to look at? This seems like a great treasure trove but as a beginner to art appreciation I don't have much of an idea of where to start.

Just pick something that sounds interesting to you and start reading. There's no bad way to do it.

I wander at random through art history stuff, and I never regret it.

If you search masterpiece, there are several masterpiece collection books, I think they are good places to start.

I just added a list. Hopefully it will get you going!