The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-26
F. ". RHlNELANDER, SR., DEAD.
PRESIDENT OF THE METROPOLT-
TAN MUSEUM OF ART,
And One OF Its Trustees From the First
Observation-Disclosures for II Some
Of Its Most Precious Possessions


Frederic william Rhinelander, ST., presi-
dent Of the Metropolitan Museum of Art,
died little after midnight Sunday morning
In the Red Lion Inn at Stockbridge, Mass +,
OF heart disease.
He went to Stockbridge on Monday last
to spend the autumn there, in accordance
with his custom for years. With him were
his sisters law, the Misses Skinner of
this city. Until Saturday his health had
been excellent. When he returned from
Europe in September he told his friends
that he had not felt better for years At
8 o'clock Saturday night Mr.. Rhineander
was attacked by severe pains in the heart.
The house physician was summoned, but
restoratives were unavailing.
Frederic W. Rhinelander, Jr. and Mrs.
lie Roy King, Mr.. Rhinelander's son and
daughter, reached Stockbridge yesterday
morning and brought the body to New
York last night The funeral will be to-
morrow morning at II O'Clock in Calvary
Episcopal Church, of which Mr.. Rhine
lander had been a vestryman for many
years. The service will be conducted by
the Rev. DR.. Parks. the rector.
Mr., Rhinelander was born in New York
in 1928. He was the son Of Frederic Will
liam Rhinelander and the great-great-g grand
son OF Philip Jacob Rhinelander, who set
tied at New Rochelle in 1896 He was gradl,-
ated from Columbia College with the class
Of ~.
Mr.. Rhnelander was most widely known
from his active interest in the affairs OF
the Metropolitan Museum of Art He
of ho t,,ti Of
its organization in 1871 and for over thirty
years gave a large measure of his time
toward its development Among his as
sociates on the original board Of trustees
were Theodore Roosevelt father of the
President), William Cullen Bryant, Andrew
H. Green. A. T. Stewart and John A. Dix
In 1892 he was made vice-president, 10 fill
the place of the Rev. DR.. William C. Prime
He succeeded Henry G. Marquand as presi-
dent when the latter died in 1902.
He came to the presidency at time when
the greatest improvements and extensions
were being made. The bequest to the
museum from Jacob Ii. Rogers, the loco
motive builder, made available considerably
over 5000 900. the annual income from
which has been devoted to securing art
treasures in Europe. Mr. Rhinelander had
the direction Of the expenditure OF this
income. His intimate knowledge OF the
necessities and the scheme Of expansion OF
the museum as well as his familiarity with
the great art museums OF Europe have been
instrumental in securing priceless objects
for the museum.
For many years Mr.. Rhinelander spent
part Of each year in Europe. the principal
object being the search for art treasures.
Very shortly after he became president
he learned while in Rome OF the biga, the
Roman chariot that had been excavated
near Rome. He found it dated undoubt-
eddy from 100 r. c. and was without oues-
ton the most remarkable thing of the kind
extant He recommended its purchase
and it was secured by the museum for
large sum.
1t was largely through the efforts OF Mr.
Rhnelander, eoting with j. Pierpont Nor
gan and Rutherford Stuyvesant, that the
De Dino collection of armor was secured
1t had been sent from Paris to Christes'
in London to be sold. when Mr. Rhinelander
heard OF 1t. Personally he investigated
the authenticity of such historic pieces as
the helmet of Jeanne D'Arc and the helmet
OF Henri ii. OF France. II was also through
Mr.. Rhinelander's constant watchfulness
in Europe for prizes for the museum that
tho famous Pompeian room was secured.
It had been removed whole from excuva
tons made between Pompeii and Yesu wins.
Bode OF Berlin secured the furniture and
some art objects the room contained for
the Berlin Museum. The Louvre purchased
some OF the contents, but Mr. Rhinelander
lie he h hatr
frescoes. For this $40 900 was
aid from the income OF the Rogers bequest.
Among the paintings that the vigilance Of
Mr. Rhinelander gained for the Metropolitan
Of Art is the portrait of the Princess
lie Conde, by the French artist Largilliere
Of the eighteenth century. For this and
another painting by Larglliere $780, 900 was
paid.
These things arc but few Of his services
to the museum. His whole life was prac-
tioally devoted to II. When he was in the
city large part OF his time was spent in
The museum.
George H. Story, curator OF the de-
partment Of paintings of the museum, said
If Mr. Rhnelander last night:
He was a man OF remarkable capabil-
ties and judgment He combined the fine
,ensibilities Of an artist with the cold jude-
nent Of the business man. The result was
,ingularly fortunate for the institution
Il would be impossible to estimate his ser
1ices. They covered more than thirty
1ears, and there was not year of the tune
hat Mr.. Rhinelander was not planning,
travelling or corresponding In
he interests OF his beloved museum. he
rave his time to it to the exclusion OF pri-
ate affairs. 1t is in manner Of speaking
monument to the man, The officers and
rustees of the museum had not only the
highest respect for him and admiration for
lis abilities, they loved him for his warm
and never failing sympathy.
lie had little to say at any time, but when
he spoke on a subject his advice was in
'ariably followed. | am shocked at Mr..
death, particularly since /
aw him apparently Drumming with health |
ust a few days ago.
Mr.. Rhnelandef married Frances D.
kinner in 1851. They had eight children,
+ whom the following survive: Frederic !
V. Rhinelandcr, Jr.. Thomas y. Rhine
lnder, the Rev. Philip NJ. Rhineander,
Irs William c. Riyes, Jr.. Mrs. William
,organ-Jones and Mrs. lie Roy King. The |
cad are Alice X. Rhinelander and Mrs. [
evils Cameron.
Mr. Rhinelander was a governor of the !
Club member Of the City |
nd Southside Sportsmens clubs, MEM
err Of the Downtown Association, the Mem
Nah 10