New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-22
MUSEUM ART TREASURES.
NEW EXHIBITS FOR THE NEW BUILDING.
THE GIFT OF THE AsToR LACEs SUPPLEMENTED
PREPARING FOR THE FALL OPENING.

PREPARING FOR THE FALL OPENING.
When the Metropolitan Museum Of Art is opened
to tho public in November It will present the most
complete collection OF art exhibits In the several de-
partments that is to be seen this side OF the At
lantic In some OF the departments the exhibits VIII
compare favorably with the long-cstabshed museums
OF Europe and many Of the treasures OF the Mero-
poltar Museum would be quickly secured by the older
institutions II the opportunity offered For tho
first time since the museum was opened In Central
Park, the public will have opportunity Of inspecting
these treasures which have steadily accumulated DUR
ing ten years. Many of them have been stored away
for lack Of space, and articles that were for
time on view placed aside to make room for
more important objects
In the new building which Is now being finished,
the space Of the museum Will be doubled and for
several years to that will be ample room for ac1
cessions The collections of the museum, which ten
years ago valued at less than 100000, now ara
placed at upward of SO 900 900 and could not be dup1
Gated for twice that sum. The building will be-
the first portion OF the front OF the be
plcted, and will present to the eye attractive
appearance than the old barnke brick struc ture,
which is but of the wings Of the museum proper
But ar imperfect idea can as yet be formed Of tho
work A large force OF workmen engaged within
the building and tho exterior has not been finished
The grounds in chaotic condition, as II they had
But tho plans for the changes In the grounds, and
for the approaches to the museum, have been made
by Calvert Vaux tho landscape architect Of the parks,
and the contracts for the work to be made by tho
Park Commissioners in few days. II is expected
that the work By them Will begin by August l. Mean
while, the new building will have been finished and
the arrangement Of the exhibits and tho work the
approaches will proceed together. General df
Cesnola, who is devong all HIS time to the preparat
tons for tho opening says that unless unforeseen
delay occurs everything will be ready for the opening
on Tuesday, November 81.
portion Of the museum is now closed to visitors,
to enable the work TO proceed without obstructons
But the picture galleries remain open to tho public,
and continue to be throngcd by visitors daily. Tho
old building VIII have to undergo some material
changes, and when the work that begins, I'M Sep+
TENDER, the will be closed until the November
opening. For the present partitions have been placed
around the galleries and the lower hail. On WednesI
day portion of the new building which had been
finished was taken possession of by the museum and
the moving Inf began The main entrance will ba
from the SOUTH and the offices of the Director and he
curators Of the several departments will be in the
new building All the cearage the museum win
be available for storage and repair purposes. Every
year the exhibits have to be Inspected carefully by
shlfu artists and kept In good condition The paint
ings formerly away, special artists pros
cured when it necessary to attend to them. 1t Is
the Intention of the trustees to employ Of hs
most competent artists and have that work done In
the building.
THE WOLFE COLLECTION OF PAINTINGS
The Catherine L. Wolfe paintings will have largo
double gallery In the new building The museum has
just received from the executors Of the Wolfe estate
the So00,0OO which left in her will for tho
and extension of her gift. Something of the income
of this endowment will be expended yearly the
of the collection, but large part Of the income will
Eac ltn
at intervals of few years, any worthy painting on
which they may determine. The growing library Of
the museum, and the Gold Room, where the curious
treasures kept, will be in the building.
Among the most interesting of the exhibits which
are to be opened In November will be the Egyptian
collection which General di Cesnola has secured
through Maspero, the Egyptian archaeoogst. They
include a number of mummes which were obtained at
the Same time with that of Rameses and a varied
collection of household implements ard articles illus
trative Of the and surroundings of the Egyptians
from 1000 to 5000 years ago. In connection with
these and step forward toward modern civilization,
will be the Cyprlote collection which General Cesnoa
obtained in Cyprus The arrangement Of these colec1
tons is being made, under the supervision Of
Professor Hall, who has charge Of this department
full display Of tho Astor laces will be made for
the first time, and these laces being prepared
and placed on frames In the museum by Mrs. Carter.
of the most expert workers In laces IN this country.
This display will be prepared in series Of revolving
stands, which the frames will be SET to To opened
like the leaves of book. Each Of these frames or
leaves presents background of san Of the color best
adapted TO bring out the ntrcacy OF the delicate pat
terms of the laces glass the lace which Will
be arranged that artists copy the patterns by
placing above them OF the glass the tracing paper
on which the outlines are TO be marked The arranget
ment of these laces work of the most painstakinS
character, and only few hours daily can be devoted
to It, The figures have all to be laid out smoothly and
evenly on the frames, each figure examined and any
break repaired The threads of lneno almost cob
web texture There of pieces, lace handker
Chiefs collars dress onces several yards in length,
that could be rolled up and concealed In the palm OF
the hand; single piece Of some Of these specimens
could not be duplicated for 1000 1t was stated by
Mr. that Mrs. Aston expended upward of 100000
In the purchase OF her collection.
TWO OTHER COLLECTIONS OF RARE LACEs.
The McCallum collection Of laces, which was given
to the museum several years ago. has mary pieces
quite as fine and delicate the Astor laces. THIS
collection will be mounted in the same manner as tho
Astor laces "With themn added General di Cesnols,
there will be still another collection Of Iaces which
recently came TO the museum, and which will be
great surprise to all ladies and every interested In
aces. In value, beauty, variety and artistic merit
this collection is only second If 1t is second, to that Of
Mrs. Astor was thoroughly surprised, as all others
have been who have It, to learn that there was
such another collection of laces in this country; and
still more pleased to learn that the museum was to
secure it,
"From whom does 1t come?'
"Wen at present am not at liberty to say. Tho
lady does not like to have her name given now but
have no doubt that in the fall when the museum 10
opened, she will permit her name to be used
As an indication Of the farreaching interest which
s developing in the Museum OF Art, General d Cesnoa
referred to the increasing number of gifts to 1t from
persons who are almost unknown to the trustees. Such
lifts are not always of value but several extremely
rare and valuable ones have been received within
gear or two The most recent was given but a few
weeks ago in curious manner. General oil Cesnoa =,
was informed that will had been probated In Boston
,y which a number of articles had been left to thu
museum The letter which contained the information
asked him If they would be accepted They were left.
{ was stated, by Ada Augusta Draper, and the Will
,eaueathng them made by her in Paris, last Jan-