The Morgan Library: An American MasterpieceNow recognized as one of the world's greatest treasuries of seminal artistic, literary, musical and historical works, The Morgan Library in New York began in the 1890s as the private collection of the legendary American financier for whom it was named. Morgan was neither a scholar nor a connoisseur, but he acquired works with an intuitive eye, on a vast scale, which is reflected in the quality and scope of the library's collections. Morgan found inspiration in the European model of a gentleman's library', acquiring medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts, early and rare printed books, fine bindings and old master drawings. While the focus was primarily on Western European materials, Morgan had a great interest in the works of important American authors and historical figures. Following Morgan's death in 1913, the library passed to his son J. P. Morgan, Jr., who in 1924 established the library as a public institution. This highly illustrated publication presents the most significant examples of the library's holdings of paintings and art objects, medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, printed books, autograph manuscripts, children's books and drawings and prints.Seven chapters cover each of the main collecting areas, with key works illustrated in full colour and described with extended captions and commentaries. In addition, each chapter opens with an introductory text assessing the significance of each of the library's constituent collections within their wider art historical and literary context. |
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Abbey acquired American Antonio Rossellino Arthur artists Autograph manuscript Belle da Costa Belle Greene Binder bindings Blockbook brown ink brown wash Carter Burden Cary Music Collection century Charles Follen McKim children's books copy Costa Greene Curator Dannie and Hettie death depicts drawings earliest early edition enamel English Eugène Delacroix European figures finest Flagler Cary Music French frescoes gift Giovanni Battista Gutenberg Bible H.M.S. Pinafore Hettie Heineman Collection illuminated manuscripts illustrated important Italian J. P. Morgan Johann John Junius Spencer Morgan King knyghts Latin Illuminated letters Library's collection Lindau Gospels London Mary Flagler Cary medieval Mesopotamia miniature Morgan Library Archives music manuscripts painter paintings paper Paris Pen and brown Pierpont Morgan Library published Pudd'nhead Wilson Purchased by J. P. Purchased by Pierpont Renaissance represented Rome Sacramentary scenes sheets songs Stavelot Triptych Sullivan Symphony thefe Thomas Thomas Mabry tion Wightman William wrote