New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-19
RARE TAPESTRY GIFT.
j. p. MORGAN THE DONOR.
announcement Made at annual
Meeting of metropolitan Museum.

"tCttHS ~ mCuOpOttLuH W 10" "''
The announcement of a gift by ]. Pierpont
Morgan of five pieces of valuable Gothic Bur-
gundian tapestry to the Metropolitan Museum
Of Art was made yesterday at the annual meet
ings Of the corporation and trustees held at the
Museum. The gift came Unexpectedly to every
body present except Sir Caspar PurdOn Clarke
f.. director of the Museum, and Edward Robin
son. assistant director. They knew Of the gift
because the pieces of tapestry had been pre-
viously received and spread on frames in
room across the hall from the meeting room.
where. after the meeting, they were viewed and
greatly admired by the trustees.
The five pieces are rare specimens Of the four
teenth century period. They are dark in color
the figures in them being full length. All the
pieces represent Scriptural scenes. At the top
OF each is margin wherein is written an in
scription in Latin. The largest Of the tapestries
is Z feet 2ls inches by 10 feet.
Mr.. Morgan, president OF the corporation
presided at the meeting. and others present
We're: William NJ. Laffan. Alden Weir, John
Bigelow. J. Carroll Beckwith. the Rev. A. D.
Pell George BlumenthaI. Charles r. Hunting
ton and l. n Phelps-StOkes. Hamilton w
Carey, James Stilman and Jacob H SChin were
elected members in perpetuity, lille the fol-
lowing We're elected TO lie membership; Freder-
lex ). Waite. w. r. Sands, Louis Enrich, 5. 3.
Howland, jacques Sellgman and Danlei Gug-
genheim.
The thrty-seventh annual report of the Mu-
scum shows that the year 1906 was one OF the
greatest in it's history in point OF public at
tendance, increase in membership and receipt OF
gifts. The attendance during the year was Iol-
4T6, and the number of permits issued TO stu
dents TO copy I9l. The largest attendance
on any one day was lilo. on Washinstons
Birthday
In the year the Museum received as gifts
IA different objects, of which hfty-n1ne we;s
paintings and eight sculptures These do not
include the pieces obtained from the Egypt eX-
ploration fund. The Museum officials expressed
their qualification over this response 10 inc
efforts of the Museum 10 enlarge us useIuIheSS
TO the people. Another noticeable evidence o.
public interest In the institution was the hearty
cooperation of the Mayor, the Controller am
the president of the Park Board
The increase of the Museums collections by
purchase was also greater last year than ever
before ! 90 objects being added, OF which
hfty-four were paintings and thirty sculptures,
More than six thousand different OBJECTS OF ART
We're brought To the attention of the Museums
staff, either for purchase or gifts or these ono
thousand were brought TO the Museum on ay-
proval and We're declined.
The business of the Museum as II relates 10
receiving and dealing with objects OF art re-
Ceived by il has been thoroughly systematlzeu
Many changes also have been made in the 4asL
wear In the arrangement OF the collections, all
looking toward greater usefulness ana intel
IipfbiIity Two galleries which formerly con-
tanned American paintings together with eX-
amples OF other schools have now been gwen
over entirely 10 American artists. Many changes
have also been made to improve the pulioIhg
and increase the convenience OF the pupho ana
the safety Of the collections.
The work OF charging the Museum Is now IL
progress in q part OF the new north wing Inc
trustees have also authorized the construction
OF d wing 10 accommodate the library
which has outgrown its present accomInodall9IlSS,
The estimated cost Of this wing is about Si0OUO-
Gratifying progress was made in 19Oo IN the
effort to increase the collection or representa-
tive American art, both in the department OF
paintings and that OF sculpture. Most or the
additions were by gifts. Some or the important
works with the creators and donors, were:
"Carmencita" by William NJ. Chase, the gilt
Of Sir William c. Van Horne
'Nocturne in Green and Gold CCremorne
Gardens by James Mcneil Whistler, the gift
OF Harris c. FahnestOCk.
Girl and Cow by Theodore ttoplnsOh ths
gift OF william T. Evans.
THE Mares Of Diomedes' (bronZe group, by
-Borglum, the gift Of James Stillnan
Portraits Of Indians (bronze medallons),
by DIN S Warner. the gift Of Mr.. and Mrs
Frederick S. Wait
The new members for 1906 numbered 40, in
the following Classihcations:
Fight fell5vs Tor lie coSJrbutiug 1000
TWeEty-ane fellowship members contributing per -
Sixty six sustaining members contributing per
SIX hundred ana nine members. contributing =,
All the officers of the corporation were re-
elected for 1907. They are:
J. p Morgan. president; D. Q. Mills. first
vice president; John 5. Kennedy second vice
president; Robert w de Forest, secretary; John
Crosby Brown treasurer
Several changes in the Museums stan were
made during 1906. Albert X. Lythgoe, OF Prov
ideuce was appointed curator of Egyptian art
John H. Buck the curator Of metal work. was
horn In Devonshire. England. Bashford Dean,
professor of zoology at Columbia, was appointed
curator of arms and arTnor Dr. Charles a Gil
lstte. Of Union Theological Seminary, was ap-
pointed assistant curator, his duties being d.
vided between the Egyptian department and the
Cesnola collection Of Cypriote antiquities. The
curatorship Of casts was abolished. DIT. John A
Paine losing position in consequence.
-e-