New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-28
A SPLENDID HOME FOR ART.
CONTEMPLATED ADDITIONS TO THE
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM
PLANS NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR
EQUAL ANY STRUCTURES OF THE

SERIES OF BUILDINGS. WHICH SHALL
EQUAL ANY STRUCTURES OF THE
KIND IL THE WORLD
An unusually imposing array OF buildings is con-
templated by the trustees OF the Metropolitan Mu-
scum OF Art as an addition TO the present building
Al,hopch il Is called merely an addition to the
NIusoun, Building it Will be larger than the orig
mai structure. The addition contemplated 10y the
trustees ultimately will extend from seventy
eighth-st TO Eighjy-hfth-st. short distance back
from the Central Park fence. and running parailei
with FIf,h-ave. 1t will be one long continuous gal
lery some l.4cD feet long. the monotony OF when
will be broken 10y wings and architectural
.nb,nis hments There has recently been APP
nrop-iated by the Legislature S,eDUS to be spent
at the rate OF S2t0OcO year for five years, for the
nurpose OF building an addition to the present Mu-
scum structure. and IL is proposed by the trustees
10 begin the erection of the addition along Firth
ave At first only 800 feet OF this building Will he
constructed. which will have its centre opposite
Eighty-second-st and Fifth-ave. and running Tor
a distance Of $50 fee; north and south. In th's III
all probability will be the main entrance to the
Museum. and it Is proposed 10 make II one OF the
most imposing facades in the country
This can be done a; comparatively snlaH eN-
pense as the architect has every advantage fer
making an architectural display with comparative
~ little attending expense. II is proposed 10 nave
a flight Of forty steps in this front entrance which
will lead 10 the second floor of the gallery These
stems will present a magnificent appearance. II
at first was suggested that the addition running
parallel Fifth-ave. should be constructed close
ND to the sidewalk. and in the form II an arcade
Ike those in the cities in Northern Italy, but after
some consideration on the part OF the Museum
authorities IL VAS decided that this would be i'm
nracticah,e As soon * the addition. running 81"
feet along Fifth-ave. i CONSTRUCTED. the trustees
proposo taking measures to extend it AZ both ends
until they reach Eighty -hfth-st and seventy
e,ghth-st respectively. Whom This is done ana
rhe growth OF the art collections justihes II. It Is
nronosed 70 connect these buildings with long gal
leries running from the north ana south eNtrern'-
ties of the proposed addition westward and there
10 connec, either with the present Museum Build.
ing or with an addition tina; will be made running
northward from the present building
The natural advantages offered in this part OF
Central Park are in the opinion OF many superior
10 those offered IN any great city In the world
when ii considered that this superb mass OF oni'
;ngs Will be in the very heart Of the metropolis
and easily accessible from all quarters The space
~ eighteen and one-half acres which set aside
by legislative act for the Museum Of Art in
magnificent pleasure ground Ike Central Park. o.
fers the architect wonderful opportunity for ie-
signing a splendid building Or series of buildings
The British Mus, um. which many considered IN us
early days Of tho most imposing metroPontah
nu Y Is -eneTaiM ibought cannot approach
the site Of the Metropolitan Museum OF Art, either
the amount OF available ground. while in the other
great European cities few advantages can oe Ioul'
10 equal the advantages OF New-lorks art co''ec-
The rapid accumulation Of pictures and art treas,
FAR as s't sua6,e Subjects for placing in q
have no anxiety. Gifts of valuable paintings, ana
marbles are coming In every week ana areadE
with them. Al the rate at which these c"lIec'ioi9
growing there Will be enough 20 fill me proloSei
Speaking Of the plans for the Museum. one Of It's
oie9s sad iad to Tr s rep9TfkE ge ar mu
scum Of ar that viii e-Iuai the hes; IN EurOl" out
We hope in time to nav he best in the world. 50
far as the site at disposal concerned. We Ger
tainly are in far way 81 ecipS!hg "."ei o. I
Is superb. and W have money enough 70 mas i a
Sr ere Ne3jT,ifs cofssne q Henry q Marqand
the presiden; OF the Board Of TrusieeS LOUIS al
been aGHeE Mann r he fna lr,cture OF the
NetT@poIi.an Museum of Art. General Cesnola has
had the management Of the Internal arrangements
OF the propose addition. while the outside ana az.
10 Mr.. Hunt. Mr. Marquand having the genera,
Sapp made bu, a number o; rough sketches have
been drawn by NJ Hnnt from whicn e, Inc KIM bn
Inucn these plans may be altered before work m me
eGnng besa pans must be submitted to before
the work OF building can be begun our pans mus.
the PARK BOARD and by the Board OF Estimate and
Apportionment Objections may be mac to certain
architect ana the alterations made; then the re-
vised plan must go through the same 'iS"ne'S
q 10 not think that We VIII be able 70 secure
aaI Of the $4,000 appropriated by the lesi,atpre
for the Museum this year The act GIVING u. ms
MONEY was no. mandatory. ana leaves IL ~Ia me
discretion OF the Boari Of Estimate ana Apioi,;oi-
ment whether or not the money viii be grantcl 20
MS This wear Personally do not see no" 'hg ,IN
%, 49, -, git. us the money this wear Iirr"
are so many gigantic Improvement eneTprsss Oh
IA, /, &c doubtful Il Il will be lawful 10 alio" tae
Authorization for the Museum Meantime, nU%-
~ u,e arc going ahead With the work OF pre-
pairing the plans. that when me rnofey -
the plans viii have been dcceptei anu ever ''"A
will be ready for actual Work.