Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1909-12-09
"Art Center Of the World"

"Art Center Of the World"
New York today is just beginning"
he said, what promises to be an art
conquest of the old world. Your col
lectors of art objects are increasing
so rapidly and are Offering so much
gold that the time will come when
this city will be the art center of the
world. II will swallow up nearly all
the finest works of Europe that are
civic museums.
Already American wealth has prov
ed such powerful lure that such
n time honorcd institution rs the
Louvre finds il extremely difficult to
add really valuable art objects to its
present collection. The Metropolitan
museums acquisition of three tapes
tries formerly owned by Sigismund
Bordac is the most striking illustra-
tion of this westward drift of art.
''It happened this way. speak
frankly. for, although this Is news to
Americans, most of the facts are
known to the art circles of Paris.
After we had purchased these tapes
tries some of the patriotic people of
France started an agitation to prevent
their expectation to America. The
tapestries were OF the time of Charles
VII. historical documents of rare
value. because they illustrated with
such undoubted accuracy the costumes
and customs of that remote period.
Morgan Was Eager to Buy.
~ director of the Louvre according
ly called upon mc and inquired the
price He asked II the Louvre might
have an option on the tanestries until
July %. when 1t wns hc "a the minis
ter OF tine arts would give his sanction
TO the purchase, The option was
granted, but meantime MIR. Morgan
heard of the pending transaction. He
also came TO NE and said:
III France decides not to buy those
tapestries at that figure. | will
The day before the expiration of
the option we were asked by IL Louvre
director to extend It another week He
explained il was hoped that by that
time the minister OF fine arts would
give his sanction. { replied:
"Mr. Morgan has offered 10 buy the
tapestries tomorrow II thr i.nuvrp does
not take them
THE director was so persevering
that asked MIR Morgan If he would
stand aside. So France might have an
other chance. His answer was;
"'lt is not the habit of the Metropol-
itan museum nor is it my habit to
prevent such an institution as the
Louvre from obtaining what II de.
sires of the art works of It's own coun-
try | will most gladly consent TO the
extension of the Louvre's option
AT the end of another week the
minister OF fine arts still delayed his
sanction. He contended the price was
too high. Mr.. Morgan bought the tap
estries. Ten days later the Louvre di-
rectorS made overtures TO Mr. Morgan
to buy back Just one Of the fabrics.
which one Mr.. Morgan himself might
decide. Mfr. Morgan said he was very
sorry. but It was too late.
Ninety per cent OF all the works
Of art bought in Europe with Ameri-
can money comes to New York city.
Americans are especially desirous OF
getting hold OF the older things"
AS the Persian antiquarian talked
he was frequently interrupted By ca.
Diagrams from representatives OF his
firm stationed in various art centers
Of Europe.
A Startling Hat.
4 lady's hat which would 10 doubt
create as great sensation today as 1t
did at the time of its first appearance
In 1852 was that worn by Blanche de
Bourbon. queen of CASTLE, wife Of
Peter the Cruel. 1t cost f35 and was
made in Paris. The hat itself was
composed of de ehypre and relieved
with great pearls, garnets and enamel
work. Children, carved In the whitest
Of ivory. were depicted picking acorns
of pearls from the oak aud scattering
them to the swine below. Birds were
singing In the trees. ana at the foot
were bees stealing honey from the
flowers sprlnglnS up from The verdure.