New-York tribune., 1915-02-22
Joseph Duveen Hints That
Another Announcement
Will Be Made.
SAYS FIRM BOUGHT
TREASURES OUTRIGHT
Director Robinson Has Heard
Nothing of Negotiations for
Sale of Further Portions.

Hope among art lovers that the Nor
gan art collections would remain sub
stantially intact for the enjoyment Of
the public dwindled yesterday with the
announcement hat the Fragonard
group Of paintings mad so quickly fol-
lowed the Chinese porcelains into the
channels OF trade.
An intimaton came yesterday from
Joseph Duveen, OF the firm of Duvecn
Brothers, who made both purchases,
that other parts Of the collection would
soon be sold. He was asked if he had
any further purchases Of Morgan
treasures to announce, or whether any
negotiations were afoot.
81 have nothing to announce to-day
he said, "but see me on Monday or
Tuesday and ! may have something to
tell you then"
Both sections Of the collection pur-
chased so far, he said, had been bought
outright by his firm, which was not
acting as agent for any one. nor did it
have any prospective purchasers in
sight
1--WE are glad to take such treasures
as these on our responsibility" he said.
From the director of the Metropoli-
tan Museum, Edward Robinson, no CON
firmstion Of further negotiations could
be obtained.
"The only two portions that have
been sold arc the Fragonard paintings
and the Chinese porcelains," Mr.. Rob
inson said yesterday. He was asked
whether he knew of negotiations for
the sale Of further portions. 81 have
heard nothing as to that he SAID
He refused TO make any comment OIL
The action of Mr.. Morgan in selling the
treasures.
When the Chinese poreelains were
lost TO the museum, the trustees, speak
ing through Mr. Robinson, thus COM
mented on the blow to the institution;
1T would be idle to pretend to min
imize the disappointment which all OF
us who are connected with the museum
feel at the loss Of the Morgan coilec-
ton of Chinese porcelains. 1t is ire
parable in a more literal sense than
the loss Of any individual could be. A
useful man dies, and his friends and
associates miss his presence, his coun-
sells and his help; but in the course
of time this loss, which in the nature
of things is sooner or later inevitable,
is made good, and the institution with
which he was connected pursues It's
course as before.
"At the same time, we must remem-
Der that the museum has never had any
claim 10 the permanent possession of
the collection. II has always been
here distinctly as a loan. Whatever
our homes may have been, Mr.. Morgan,
sr., never, so far as ] am aware, in
timated 10 any one his intention OF
giving or bequeathing IL TO the mu-
scum. II was not his habit TO admit,
or perhaps even to formulate his In
tentions until the time for action ar
rived; and in the present instance it
was enough for him that the collection
was here and was being enjoyed by
thousands.
Knowing, as we do, the present Mr..
Morgan's loyal devotion to his fathers
memory, and his determination TO
carry out the lstter's intentions to the
utmost Of his ability, we must believe
that any dismemberment of the Nor
gan collections arises from what he
believes TO be necessity, and certain
~ that is not due to indifference to his
fathers wishes or TO lack of interest
Cnntlnned on mage & column