The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-21
THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART.
OPENING Reception Last Niql

Opening Reception Last Night.
The galleries OF the Metropolitan Art Museum
thrown open to the subscribers last night, for
the first time. II any proof were wanted OF the alb
sorbng interest taken In the subject OF art by the
elite OF our society the brilliant and distinguished
gathering brought together at the temporary
Museum on Fifth avenue last night would
have supplied It.. Almost soon as the doors were
thrown open the rooms were filed with ladies and
gentlemen, who were by no means sparing OF their
expressions Of approval and satisfaction at the
work done by the trustees. The collection was
A COMPLETE SURPRISE,
for the better part OF the company expected to see
little more than number OF mediocre paintings,
which the press had tOlerantly agreed to accept as
promise OF better things to come. AS sO0n how.
ever, as the visitors entered the room
they became at once aware that the pictures
possessed within themselves real merit, which de-
manded respectful consideration Congratulatlon
was therefore, the order OF the evening, and we
heard 1t audlDly whispered IN accents That would
charm an anchorlte and lsped by killing young
swells who seemed fatlgued at tile effort. How
ever, the company pleased, and the happy state
Of feeling pervadng the assistants was visible on
their faces which beamed smiles in every direc-
ton. Toward the close of the reception
the President Mr.. johnson, made an able aud tell
Ing address, In which he reclted the difficulties
which had to he overcome IN the founding OF the
Art Museum, and pointed with justi1aDle pride TO
the results which mad been obtained Dy the Board
| OF Trustees, as witnessed IN
THE MAGNIFICENT COLLECTION
which had been brought together. Mr.. Johnson
touched upon the many difficulties which lay in the
way OF Obtaining really good WORKS. on account VI
the natural desire of The European galleries
to keep the masterpieces At The Other
side OF the Atlantic. He remarked, however:
that hitherto the CHIEF difficulty had not
want OF money, which mad necesslated the refusal
OF many important works which mad neen offered
chase Tor want OF funds. Mr.. Johnson concluded
by reminding his hearers that If they wished TO
serve the OF art, which Is Intimately connected
with industry. the Dest way they could prove the
! reality OF that desire would be by
CONTRIBUTING GENEROUSLY TO THE FUND
| OF the Museum. AT the conclusion oil MS speech he
was warmly applauded and we hope the patrons
an nstliut which promises 10 be credit to our
| CITY, We have not time or space to notice in detail
| say something, but we promise ourselves the plea
sure or dealing with tins subject at future day IN
we snail only say a few words relative to
'Vela's "Last Days OF Napoleon the First"
In the very iSont RAM Of modern sculpture, aud
possessing qualities OI conception and execution
winch make 1t dangerous rival Vi The BEST WORKS
THE PALMIEsT DAYS OF GREECE.
| II is the work OF an Italian artist-0ne OF those
who have suddenly created renaissance OF
| sculpture In that sunny land at q time when men
began TO fear that the genius which mad animated
| her Angeles and Iaphaels had departed forever.
| Let say at once that we do not worship
| nor admire the Corsican adventurer who overturned
| thrones with as little ceremony as he crushed the
| liberties OF peoples; but we cannot be bind TO what
| there was OF bold and Majestic In his naughty
| nature Never was there grander subject Tor poem
| or pencil than That
Gagged LION
| Rnawlng away his neart III his island prison,
| and wOrthiiy has the Italian artist treated 1t.
Uniting the realistic 10 the IDEAL he mas given
US statue OF Napoleon dying, IN wnlcn we
see all the fadinR visions OF glory recorded
on brow full OF sorrow. but najestic and grand
even III his dOwnlall. The artist has entered into
the spirit OF the man and shows ~ the magic OF
his cnlsel the great Napoleon dying, but unsuodued,
and extortS even IRON the great soldiers enemies
the homage winch Is ever due TO
FALLEN GREATNESS.
The statue has been kindly loaned by Mr.. Johnson,
and VIII remain Oh view lor some time. We would
strongly advise our native sculpiors NOT 10 miss
seeing 1t. The reception continued 10 late hour,
and was declared by all 30 be q magnificent success.
Mr.. Gordon anu other members OF the conIDiitee
untlrinR In their efforts To contribute To The
comfort Of their visitors.