| The
Morgan Library is closed for renovation and expansion until
2006
The Morgan Library, built between 1902 and 1906, is "an
institution dedicated to serving scholars and the public alike"
through its treasure of rare materials and exhibitions of
fine artwork. A recent exhibition had great works of art from
the likes of Raphael, Rembrandt, Ruscha, Michelangelo, and
Matisse just to name some of the greats represented here.
This recent exhibition (circa 2001) encompassed all drawing
and watercolor media, including ink, chalk, charcoal, crayon,
and graphite. Within its collections are 10,000 drawings and
prints which span the fourteenth through twentieth centuries;
nearly 1,300 manuscripts going as far back as a thousand years,
and much, much more. But that's not all. Here you'll also
find lectures, concerts, films, and public programs related
to its exhibitions and permanent collections.
About JP Morgan -
Much like The Frick Collection, whose
holdings and existence came as a result of one man's love
for art, so did this institution. The man in this is case
is John Pierpont Morgan (Sept. 7, 1867 - Mar. 13, 1943) whose
private library was made into a public institution, the Morgan
Library, in 1924 through his son.
Born in Hartford, Connecticut Mr. Morgan went on to become
an investment banker and later became the founder of the famous
J.P. Morgan & Company financial firm. Morgan was also
famous as an art collector and philanthropist. During his
life he contributed to art museums, cathedrals, churches,
and hospitals. After his death the Metropolitan
Museum of Art in New York City received a large part of
Morgan's collection, which is housed in the Pierpont Morgan
wing. |
