New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-03
THE MUSEUM REOPENED.
A CONSIDERABLE ACQUISITION OF ART
TREASURES.

CONSIDERABLE ACQUISITION OF ART
TREASURES.
The Metropolitan Museum OF Art, having held its
twenty animal reception last evening, opens
its doors to the public to-day. No single department
has been extraordinarily enriched, but there Is con
siderable list OF miscellaneous acquisitions, and few
interesting loans have been made to the gallery OF
modern paintings Tho pictures and sculptures
will claim popular attention first A portrait of
Clement TX, by Carlo Maratta, has been added to the
collection Of old masters. 1t is wenpreserved,
Characteristic example Of one OF the least remarkable
Of seventeenth century Roman painters no better and no
worse than the countless Papal portrnits OF the
time which jostle each other in so many
Of the italian galleries, depressing by their very samo-
ness. 1t was presented by Mr.. Archer N. Huntington
much more interesting work, though that cannot
be more approved, IS the large Return OF the Holy
Family from Egypt by Rubens, which reappears after
long absence. This picture Is one OF 100 Old masters
which the Museum purchased from NJ. Etienne lie Roy.
Commissioners of the Royal Museum Of Belgium. In
1871. II was in poor condition then. In few years
the panel upon which it painted cracked. 1t was
transferred to and has since undergone complete
restoration. The vicistudes have told upon 1t severe
y. Rubenss color is nothing If not rich and glowing,
but ii could hardly survive such and tear as this
picture has undergone. As the "Return Of the Holy
Family" stands now, il is a second-rate painting
warmth and style have departed from t. for the effect
!
heavy and dragging where, it were TO show natural
Rubens, It would be vigorous and fluent All over
the there places where the color is so thin
to render transparency impossible The colors have
become dull they unlike the familiar oily, almost
unctuous hues Of the master, as can be conveniently
verified by reference T. the typical little Susanna and
the Elders by Rubcns, which hangs in the Marquand
gallery.
Mr. Marquand has added nothing more to his noble
collection but has lent good landscape by :" Old
Crome,- forest scene dominated by one huge hoary
tree the treatment Of which foreshadows Rousseau
and method of preserving tho massive organic lines
in studies OF old trees From the Crome landscape
there is leap in the list OF pictures to some speci-
mems OF contemporary French and American art. The
most important OF the latter is a Mary Magdalen at
the Tomb Of our saviour" by Henner, bequeathed to
the Museum by the late Mrs. s. VI. Hitchcock. 1t
dates from $780, time when Henner was less man.
nered than he is to-day. The dim background is much
free from suggestions Of bitumen than are the
backgroirA- Of many of his recent works. The" Mag
dalen' was evidently printed from the same lovely
model who has posed often as careless wood
nymph for Henner, the only new motive being the
kneelng attitude This attitude IS the cause OF the
single flaw in the picture the squarely and awkwardy
drawn right knee The only touch OF brilsncy In the
color scheme comes from bit Of blue drapery thrown
about the Magdaen's waist. There is feeling in the
picture, due quite as much TO Henner's temperament
a. TO any religious impulse
Mr. 5. 7. Avery IT,, lends picture by jules Breton
The Burning Hay Rick unusually dramatic for
Breton but lacking the freshness customary with him.
Mr. Avery lends also Prodgal Son. done with fair
success classical lines by the seldOm-seen Eleyre.
and a picturesque salon subject by DelOrt An au-
tumn landscape by r. VI. Shurtlef has been presented
10 the Museum by Mr.. W. F. Havemeyer, jr. Quito
number Of paintings by American artists have been
lent by Mr.. William T. Evans Among them Is
fine White Mountain study By Homer Martin, in which
uon to lnger over attractive foreground. and pass
on TO the bade est possible mountain tops beyond just
for sake Of showing their effect under oddly thrown
sunlight Mr.. Il. c. Minors might small but
very impressive picture Of deserted shore, Is the
American work best qualified to stand beside Mr.. Mar
tins landscape. An amusing auegorical Twilight
by MI Church, and poorly drawn but shfully toned
Viollnist" by Mr.. Tarbel the remaining notice
able pictures.
Downstairs the alcoves for modern sculpture pre-
sent two attractions. One the gift OF Mr.. J. IL.
Pu7dy marble statue Of Raphael a boy in the
rich costume OF his day is by Emilio Zocchi Of Flor
ence, and has the common tau!t of modern Italian
Observation-Disclosures and stir deail-to counter
balance the charm OF its youthful spirit The other,
an "ArIadae.n by Aime Millet. Is one Of the mos:
satisfactory Of recent French productions. The figure
Is dgned and beautiful, the conception, though not
strngy new, Is not too conventional and tho model
ling and chiseling admirable. The work is
replica, made By the sculptor himself, OF Tie original
In the Luxembourg, and presented by Mr.. schaus
The copy In bronze of the famous boar Of the Uhzi,
presented by Mr. ID. IL. McApln, Is a welcome addition
10 IT,. Museum collection Of classic sculptures, though
IL st the raw, cOppeg appearance peculiar 10
brOnLcs Of slight which have been sent out from
the foundry wAh proper patne. I!hlc
will perhaps tone this rawness down. Miss
sarah Lazarus has Increased her eft OF
cnameled boxes, miniatures and fans, and has pre-
selted q collection OF cugFdyings by Hognrtn Two
ornate candelabIsl executed In silver by Tiffany came
from the estate OF the late Mn. ;. X. Osgood. Inc
late Mrs :. h. Hasa(k bequeathed 10 the Museum
PLAGUE OF the curioIs and Capo di Monte ware
Il Is a good specimen OF the old Neapohtan way OK
modelling in very nigh relief with the figures and back,
ground c0Ored. Ms John Crosby Brown has presented
hfysix musical instruments In addition u the large
number already given by her to the Museum: Other
gifts may be briefly esalogued follows: MI. j. Z.
Brown, a chair formerly belonging 70 Washington,
Alfred de Rotschild eight drawings by old masters
Mrs II. Kawls. spanish saddle and three Chlnese
hats Mr. IL. q. Marquand early c0py OF the Koran on
parchment; Mrs. J. J. Thomas, bronze medal pre-
sented Zachary Taylor and old English watch D T.
Avery thirty three volumes for the library Mr. Hiram
Hitchcock. specimens OF Nlceragan pottery Mr. simon
stevens a map Of old Mexico, made on linen. in the
architectural court the latest erection Is fu size
model Of the beautiful Charage monument OF Hyscres
al Athens. French sculptor, NJ Dupont, Is al pres
eIa busy in the Museums basement putting together
models Of the Pantheon al Rome and The great temple
al karnak.