The New York herald., 1921-04-17
Louis XIV. Room
Set Up in Morgan
Wing of Museum
Acquired Through Generosity
Of Financier-Other
New Art.

Among the new acquisitions OF the
Metropolitan Museum of Art on view
to-day for the first time a Louis XIV
panelled room, purchased through the
further generosi.. cf j. Pierpont Nor
gan. holds the chief interest. The wood
work of this room comes from a house
In the Rue Thorigny, Paris, which is
said to have been once in the possession
OF Mime. de Pompadour. 1t is beauti-
ful example OF the quieter taste Of the
period, being without doubt designed for
family of the upper middle class, and
in its present state, with neither gilt nor
paint on its fine walnut surfaces, will
appeal to many who have become a little
weary of the more binding magnifcences
of this and allied periods of eighteenth
century decoration. In its present posi-
tion in the second floor of the Morgan
wing 1t has been set up as a three sided
arrangement. with an alcove originally
belonging TO it on view close by. II
stands as another striking example OF
the harmony that underlies every detail
in the architecture and decoration of the
great historic periods of design. and
probably will prove a srorehouse of sug-
gestion for modern exponents of
eighteenth century decoration.
In the room of recent acquisitions a
splendid impression of very famous
print of Andreal Mantagna. the Risen
Christ. Between Saint Andrew and
Saint Longinus," occupies a place of
honor. 1t is an early impression before
the plate had become worn. and hence
is characterized by great delicacy OF
detail. 1t is said to be one of the most
important prints to have come into the
museums possession. In the same room
the recently acquired canvases by a trio
90 A,,,a fete fxy1,n 1nrO O
has been associated will be welcomed
by lovers of contemporary American
painting. They are The Old Duchess, =
by George Luks; John Sloan's "Dust
Storm-Flfth Avenue" and small study
of a London Music Hail. by Everett
Shinn. A striking terra Gotta statue by
Lorenzo di Pietro, called II Vecchieto of
the fifteenth century Sienese school. who
probably was a follower of Ncnatello. Is
another OF the more important acquisi-
tions. It represents beared saint pre-
sumably an apostle, and Is conspicuous
for the rugged treatment of the drapery
and gesture. A part of a Radzvil horse
panoply, a frontal of great beauty and
delicacy OF design. dating from about
1875, forms an important addition to the
museums rich collection of armor.
Extracts from the annual report of
the trustees for 1920. reprinted in the
bulletin for April, show steady growth
in the activities of the museum In every
department. The total receipts from
the 9,371 members of the organization
amounted last year to s11s,eoo. but In
spite of the action of the city in ap-
propriating the sum of $S12.84S to the
museums support, the deficit for the
year in the cost OF administration was
$o7S, ,526. This was met partly out of
private contributions and partly out of
funds normally used for the purchase
OF works of art, fact which points
It's moral without further comment
The total attendance for the year was
926, ,e0S. an increase of 1886 compared
with 1919, and a number larger than
that of any previous year except that
OF the Hudson-Futon celebration. The
attendance at the concerts this winter
established new records, the number
for the eight concerts being 6o,51o. or
1851 more than last year. On January
% alone the attendance reached lo,OSO