New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-05-11
THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART
A PERMANENT GALLERY on AN EXTENSIVE
sCALE-THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE AND
THE MAYOR OF TIE CITY AMONG ITS OFF,
GERS - ARCHITECTURE, SCULPTURE, AND

A PERMANENT GALLERY on AN EXTENSIVE
sCALE-THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE AND
THE MAYOR OF TIE CITY AMONG ITS OFF,
GERS - ARCHITECTURE, SCULPTURE, AND
PAINTING.
This city is to have a comprehensive muse
um and permanent gallery of art upon scale worthy
alike Of the city and the nation It's establishment will
mark In art in this country. "The Metropolitan
Of Art" duly incorporated by an act of the Leg
isature passed April 49, organized by orr weknown
citizens, John Taylor Johnston, william Cullen
Bryant John A. Dix, George W. Curtis, william
II. Aspnwall, Christian l.. Detmold, Andrew H.
Green, William j. Hoppin, John +. kensett, Edwin d.
Morgan, Howard Potter Henry G.. Stebbins, William T.
Bodgett, g. L. NJ Barlow, George +. Comfort, Joseph H.
Choate Frederic Z. Church. Robert Gordon, Richard NJ
Hunt Robert Hoe, jr Eastman Johnson, Frederick Law
Omsed, George =. Putnam, Lucius Tuckerman, j. O. A.
Ward, Samuel G. Ward Theodore Weston, Russell
Eturgis and others "for the purpose OF establishing
and maintaining In the City of New-York museum and
library Of art OF encouraging and developing the study
Of the fine arts and the application OF arts to manuac
lures and practical life of advancing the general know
edge OF kindred subjects and to that end OF furnishing
popular instruction and recreation"
At meeting held last evening the charter OF tho pro
posed Museum formally accepted Constitution and
Bylaws adopted, and report Of the Executive Com
mittee read and accepted.
Tie Constitution provides that the number Of members
shall be limited to $50. At the first annual meeting
Trustees SO elected shall at their first meeting be divided
by into classes OF three each the first class to
hold Office for year, the second for two years, the
third for three years. the fourth for four years the fifth
for five years. tue sixth for SIX years. the seventh Tor
three Trustees only shall be elected by ballot To NIL the
places OF tie class whose term shall then EXPIRE and %
hold their offices for seven years.
The President and the Treasurer OF this Corporation,
and also the Mayor Of the City Of NewYork the Coy
OF the State OF NewYork the President of the De-
partment Of Public Parks in the City of NewYork, the
Commissioner Of Public Works in the City of NewYork
the President OF the National Academy OF Design and
the President Of the NewYork Chapter OF the American
Institute of Architects for the time being shall also be
OUiciO Trustees Of this Corporation.
The contribution of 1900 or more to the funds of the
Museum at one tme shall entitle the person giving tho
to be patron Of the Museum
The contribution OF $500 at one time shall enttle the
person giving the same to he Fellow in Perpetulty,
who shall have the right to appoint his successor in such
Fellowship In Perpetuity.
The contribution OF $780, at time, shall entte the
person giving the same to be a Fellow for life.
Any person may be elected by the Trustees to either OF
the above degrees who shall have donated to the Mu-
scum books or works OF art which shall have been ac-
cepted by the Executive Committee TO the value OF twice
s IN @ a no s 70 e
diplomas accordingly under the seal Of the Museum Tho
Trustees may also elect Honorary Fellows of the Museum
In their discretion.
All persons receiving such degrees and diplomas shall
s"u but shall not bV virtue of nc degrees 20 and Jna
mas become members OF the Corporation.
The Executive Committee report that the Metropolitan
Museum Of Art should DO based the idea OF a
less complete collection Of objects illustrative OF the
ent time They say: We consider this definition i'm
portan IL will be that, while IL gives distinct
purpose TO our efforts includes all the ans-whether
industrial educational, or rccreatiye-which give
value to such an institution.
Tho sources from which We can derive our materials
are two-purchase and gift Fortunately there large
class Of objects Of the highest beauty and Of inesabe
value toward formation Of sound taste I'm Art which can
be had In great completeness by comparatively moder
ate expenditure and with the smallest possible delay.
These are the Casts OF Statues and of all Sorts
Of Architectural subjects and details
The same may he said Of the formation OF Library OF
Art, consisting NJ all works o, value on all Its branches
and history. This We consider prime essential. The
purchase Of collections Of undoubted value and OF single
objects In special directions Is subject OF hrstrate
np0rtance but IL Is obvious that its consideration
be deferred until the completion of Organization and
the possession of ample MEANS and form part ~
fully considered system This remark applies specially
70 pictures The principle should be to keep In View the
historical aim OF the collection and to admit works
but those Of acknowledged aud representative value
The value and Of collection Of pictures depends
absolutely quality, and not quantity and the sue
Of the Institution In this department will he meas
ured by the acquisition Of works but models esab
lshed and permanent excellence There remains the vast
subject OF Subsidiary Ornamental Arts-POtery, Porce-
lain, Engravings Mosaes Metal Works Textile Fabrics
ec.-and Of all the arts In their relations fe and Ia
Manufactures TO which the remarks are In great
measure applicable each branch being In itself study
The Committee suggest that statues and other bulky