New-York tribune., 1889-11-04
THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM WINTER
OPENING.

The art Of architecture has received recognition
IN this country appropriate as that implied In the
Willard collection Of architectural casts. exhibited NJ
the Metropolitan Museum. At last years opening
There were collections which appealed more strongly
TO the visitors. There the Marouand collection
OF old masters, which holds permanent place
among the Museums noblest possessions There were
the Havemeyer RembrandtS and these, we are glad to
find remain In the gallery of old masters There
was the usual loan collection Of modern paintings ana
various other additions with the opening Of the new
building, made last years private view occasion oi
exceptional interest. Nevertheless. vacant han
met the visitors. This year the great hall Of the oid
building Is worhly filed with the first division OF the
Willard architectural casts We emphasize the con
sequence OF this collection not only because OF us
immediate value students. and It's instrucveness for
the general public but also for its distinction as col
lection unequalled in this country, and designed u
mately 30 equal pass the collections of KensingVn
Berlin and the Trocadero This counts for much. but VIC
think special emphasis should be placed the vaue
OF such public gift formal recognition OF 'no
dignity of architecture art This may seem U
imply a trusm, and yet architects know that we nave
yet fully ougrown the conception Of architecture
as a trade Of the architect as a mechanical designer
often ranked directly with the builder Thus ue
Willard collection Of architectural classics, occupyms
a conspicuous place in largest museum of art may
be relied upon for an influence educational in mo~
ways than one.
As yet the willard collection Is incomplete. Many
pieces are yet from Europe, and the eapofa"
model Of the Parthenon made under the supervision
Of Chipez, the archseologist IS stl in Paris MANY
pieces were not exhibited on Saturday and in the con
fusion of a premature first view it difficult per
haps TO do justice TO the collection. The smaHo,
pieces, details, and casts of relefs Will be arransou
on screens along the sides OF the great hall in chrono
logical order Egypt, Assyria Phoenicia and a'chaN
Greece will be represented the south side' ana te
age Of Phedias on the east. northern alcove VIII
be devoted to Roman architecture, which VIII be ioF
lowed by early Christian and Romanesque, Including
some rare examples Of Norwegian Romanesque by TWO
alcoves Of Gothic and Of Renaissance casts III
tho centre OF the hall stands fusize cast OF uho
beautiful pulpit wrought by NlcOlo Of Pisa FOR ue
Cathedral at scna, work less familiar than his pul-
pit Pisa Baptstery but hardly Inferior Al inc
east end IS the large cast Of the porch Of the Ercch
theum Across the hall Is section of the coister oi
the Church OF ST. John Lateran, at Rome and opposite
is a cast Of largo Norman doorway from the chufcn
in Barfrcston England
Yet the casts form but single feature OF the
winter opening. In the gallery Of "old masters
two swarthy Spanish faces challenge our admiration
Of VelasQuez Both portraits are from the Lasuo~n'
collection One is head Of the coarse h6red oI-
wares whom velasQuez painted so often in his 'lne
Of triumph. The physiognomy 10 actual
become blackened although no picture could
be Judged fairly in the light or rather lack OF Is.
al the Museum Saturday afternoon. The ouer
portrait bust which Is more clearly defined ana solo
sbly thirty-fve years Of age, whose likeness has
been sKetched IN with swift vigorous strikes. IN
the Wolfe Gallery a " Girl at the FOUNTAIN "
Bnnnat is shown for the first time and IN the az az
Joining gallery the visitor Will find Manets superDy
painted BOY with a sword and his Girl with
Portrait Of a Spanish Lady" which Will be rcncm-
bered bv our readers. The latter was presented by
Mr. A. {. Clarke 4 later gift appears In shrader
dgnihed II conventional portrait OF Humboldt which
has been presented by Mr. Havcmeyer
In another gallery find the MaxweIJ SonlneT-
willie collection Of engraved gems enriched with large
| cameo head OF Jupiter cut from chysoprase. whlcn
Is described Of the ten greatest gems Deqeathei
us from the days OF ancient art Only gyptolO-ls'
can entirely appreciate the peculiar value OF THIS gem
hut the average observer Will realize tho calm dignity
Of the face the purity Of line, and the marvellous
delicacy and mastery OF the cutting Of hair ard
wreath Another important addition IS 70 be found on
the first floor whore acove + now devoted o. the
much desired MUIR nberg ironwork Illustrated chNny
| in hngc-plates. cscutcheOns. Lands and Keys tbs
collection Of the greatest value I'm the training ot
artist artisans and indeed. in the Incubation Of good
taste I'm metal work We have often spoken Of the
need Of such models these at the Museum, and Il
pleasant 10 note the gradual growth Of means for
doubtless Will be. educational centre for work
who have to deal with any OF the arts OF design
There other additions 70 be recorded sixteenth
century mantel OF Sena marble another case Of
musical instruments added 20 the Brown collection BY
the original donor. a bust of Christ by Lord Ronald
Cover. gifts OF objects IN gold. enamel and pearF
from Mrs Dexel, new collection OF iewelled watches
and miniatures from Miss Sarah Lazarus and antique
and Oriental spoons lent hy Mrs. 6. p Avery. On
Tuesday the Museum Will be opened to the public.