New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-03-14
METROPOLITAN ART MUSEUM.
ABSTRACT OF THE ADDRESS OF THE OFFICERS
OF THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART TO
THE PEOPLE OF NEW-YORK.

ABSTRACT OF THE ADDRESS OF THE OFFICERS
OF THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART TO
THE PEOPLE OF NETWORK.
II is more than year since a public meet
ing held, at which resolutions adopted looking
TO the establishment of permanent public gallery, or
museum Of the fine arts, and committee of 80 ap
pointed TO carry that purpose into effect This commit
tee began, with little delay, the preliminary work i'm
posed upon them which was Of necessity, the organiza
ton Of the Association Inasmuch the plan. if
full involved the expenditure ofvery large sums Of money
the question Of thorough simple aud businessike
ganzatiOn OF the greatest importance Immediately
connected with this the question to what in de-
TAIL the TO be; what collections it should
include and what the relative importance might be Of
the different departments il would consist Of In this
direction, though there less for radical differ
of opinion there found to be need potracted
examination and discussion The Winter and Spring OF
spent in these prelminaries. charter was
obtained, and under it the Association organized in
permanent FORM with its present constitution ana name
In Autumn work recommended, the results have
been good, and the prospect is hopeful The sympathy
and the active interest OF the people OF are
necessary to make the undertaking complete success,
and the time has now come which the officers OF the m-
believe 10 be prOptiOus for calling general atten-
ton 10 the Objects nature and prospects OF their enter
The want OF such museum is not the want Of place
of amusement, Of new adOrnment OF our city
tial means OF mgh cuIuVauOn' Inc heed q suc4
and the lack of II are felt by every cultivated
a u,
whose studies lead them into the dominion Of the beau
tiful arts. Permanent public collections OF works OF art
ARRANGED collections are unknown while even thirdale
cities on the continent Of Europe have museums which
arfistcal cultivation are being provided in England
also with great diligence and lavish outlay America
study and enjoyment of all The fact that our country
has monuments Of the noble architecture Of the past
and that we have monumental works Of paintings
s az eye6 grae eor Than are made in the cities Of
nropq m EST
history Of art, it's progress and decay, and
the many changes OF style and spirit il has
undergone. 1t is thought that 1t Is better
and to make the collections tolerably complete
direction in another rather than less represen
ments will be purchase the most largely
at first, will depend so much upon the opportunities
offered, and 80 much upon the amount OF money mat
may be at the disposal Of the Trustees that the officers
of the museum are unable to define closely Iner prop9seu
course But one object they have IN view, when they
think will be recognized as most important one, by an
collection of1ndlsFlal arr OF an syIts ana eIaS li
trating the Application OF ornamental design 10 az Glasses
of workmanship and manufacture. The excellent re-
suits that have followed rom the establishment IN L0h
don OF the South KensngtOn Museum. encourages the
belief that similar museum here would benefit IN the
most positive and most visible way an tloSe OF our iHdn
ufactures into which enters the question OF DECORATIVE
an especial consideration TO the officers OF the
Metropolitan Museum of Art and early action will be
taken To call it into existence the present appeal ana
the efforts now being made are successful. A.. ri,
bill is now March TO- lS7D pending before the Legs
ature 10 empower the commissioners Of Public Parks 10
rxpend SlOO 90 in erecting buildings for the American
Museum OF Natural History and the metropolitan Mu-
semi of Art. The location OF these upon ground now
belonging the city Is lett 10 the discretion OF The Com
issoneIs who have assured the officers OF the Museum
of their support and assistance. Private subscriptions
are asked the purchase of works OF art Those al
ready made gwen below, and those made IN future
VIII be acknowledged from time to time subscriptions
NAV be sent 10 any officer OF the Museum. when
fine subscription list shall amount to $4,000, the
money will he called IN, and immediate steps VIII he
taken 10 make purchases judicOusly and to bring the
works of art bought % this city soon hrepToof
place of keeping shall be provided Tor them An I'M
orant purchase has already been made for the museum
That namely, of collection OF ia pictures chiefly Of
me Flemish Dutch Schools made of two private
Galleries Of great merit and celebrity IN Paris ana Brus-
sells respectively These pictures were bought IN Europe
AT the breaking out of the between France and
Prussia They offered 10 the museum at their cost,
the authenticity of each picture guaranteed ana the ex-
pense and trouble OF carrying them until bought by the
museum provided for BY recent vote OF the Trustees,
the pictures purchased for the museum on the con
don OF the raising OF the S2J0O00 specified above.
been sent 10 bring the pictures to Newfork
at once