The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-22
SIR O. PURDoN CLARKE.
The New Director OF the Metropolitan Mu-
scum OF Art and Successor TO the Late
Gen. CesnOla


of Art, in succession to the late Gen. Cesnola,
is and for many years past has been the art
director of the great South Kensington
Museum of London. This is the most I'M
portant museum position, on the educational
aide, in Great Britain. 1t will undoubtedly
be great surprise to the world OF ART 20
find him willing to exchange the dlrectorship
of this great London museum for the dlrec-
torship OF any American institution 1t can
only come from an appreciation on MS part
of the great importance OF the present oppor-
tunity in Now York and his confidence IN
that opportunity being improved under
the presidency Of j. Pierpont Morgan.
His appointment gives very striking ari
timely emphasis to the educational side OF
our New York museum, and coming stimuli
taneousy with the presidency OF Mr.. Nor
gan and the museums enjoyment OF the
great bequest OF the late Jacob 5. Rogers.
opens vista OF possibilities which should
warm the heart Of every art lover in
America.
The South Kensington Museum. which
was opened in 1857. liz one of the subdivisions
of the Department Of Science and Art Of the
Committee of Council on Education Of the
United Kingdom. Its object u not OILY TO
exhibit the masterpieces of artt to edu-
cate art teachers and to further aNNeduca-
ton. The appointment of its art director as
head of our New York museum staff would
seem to direct particular attention to the
educational aspect OF our museum, that
aspect with which the public has the keen
est sympathy and the deepest interest.
Sir Purdon Clarke IA what we in America
would call self-made man. Starting from
humble beginnings. in continuous connec-
ton with museum work Of one kind or
another since he graduated from the Ma
tional Art Training School of England,
about 1895. he has been steadily advanced
from one position TO another. until he sue
ceeced Sir Philip Owen as art director OF the
South Kensington.
He became assistant art director OF the
South Kensington in 1891, and practically
performed the duties OF director during
the period of Sir Philip Owens long illness
which preceded his death.
He has been directly connected with the
South kensington Museum in one position
or another almost continuously since 1889.
He is So years of age. was educated in
England and France, etered the National
Art Training School of England in 1862,
from which he was graduated with high
honors
He received national medallion for arohi-
teotural design in 1885. and was engaged.
under the English Government, In prepar-
ing a set of plans for the Houses OF Parlia-
ment and In rernodeling various OF their
internal arrangements during the next
| twofyears.
He was then transferred TO the archi-
! tectural works department OF South Ken
sngton Museum. and engaged on drawings
| for the architectural courts of that museum
and for the Bethnal Green Museum.
In 1870 and 1871 he was engaged in super
! intending reproductions for the museum
In Italy
In 1872 he completed the Church OF st.
Mark at Alexandria
During tho next three years he was en-
gagged in purchasing art objects for the
! South Kensington Museum and in superin-
tending the building Of various British
legations and consular buildings in East
ern countries, including Teheran, Tabriz.
Resht and Ispahan, in Persia.
He continued to travel, making purchases
for the South Kensington Museum during
the following years. His travels included
Russia. Greece, Turkey. Syria, Spain. Italy
and Germany.
He was appointed architect 70 the Royal
| Commission for the Paris Exposition OF
1878 and gent for the Government Of India
and was awarded medals for art work
and the decoration Of the Legion OF Honor.
In 1880 he became directly connected with
the Indian department Of the South Ken
sington Museum and spent the following
vears in India purchasing works Of art for
this department.
! Upon his return from India he was APP
pointed keeper Of this museum, and received
[ the order Of the Indian Empire This was
| in 1889.
In 1884 he visited America for the special
purpose of investigating homes and dormi
! tories for women students. and on his
return built the Alexandra House at Ken
sington.
He was sent by the British Government
TO India TO arrange for the Colonial and
Indian Exhibition OF 1885. was architect to
the Indian and Chinese Art Exhibition oil
1895 and to the Colonial and Indian Exhibit
ton OF 1885
In 1881 he designed and built Lord Bras
sey's museum.
He was architect TO the British India
| section of the Paris Exposition Oh 1908 dHN
was awarded a gold medal.
From this time on he was continuously IN
the service of the South Kensington Museum
He was first appointed keeper of its art sec
tions and became assistant art director II
1891
He is governor trustee Of the Slade pro
fessorship. Cambridge; university examiner
University Extension Society; governor
| trustee of the Alexandra House Corporation
and OF the Whitechapel Art Gallery
He is the author Of many papers and re-
views on art and archaeological subjects
and has lectured frequently at the Society
of Arts. Royal Institute of British Architects
Liverpool Art Gallery. Birmingham ToWr
Hall. stratford-on-Avon, Westminster Iovr
Hall. Toynbee Hall, &c, and is universally
recognized az the first authority oil IN
time on Oriental textiles.
He was knighted shortly after he oecam'
art director Of the South hensington Mu
scum. and is widely known throughout Grea
Britain "a Sir c. Purdon Clarke.
In appearance and manner he Ia mor'
American than English. He is essential,
a man OF the people. has made his owl