Year: 1871

PROSPECTS or THE MUSEUM or ART


We have such reliance upon that principle
of human nature which leads us to give gencr-
ously TO the prosperous, that we are glad to
think we shall quicken the subscriptions to
our Mctropolitan Museum of Art by annOunc-
ing its continued good fortune and its fatter-
ing prospects A munificent grant for build
ing purposes amounting to about hall q
million of dollars, has been made to the
Museum by orr Legislature, and the Board Oh
Commissioners of the Department OF Pubhc
Parks is authorized to erect suitable fire.
proof structure on any public land belonging
to the city This has somewhat stimulated
subscriptions, but not to the amount that we
had the right to expect from the prompt
libcrality and taste of our citizens. The
Museum being now permanently organized,
and resting on a basis Of assured success and
solvcncy, there is no reason for further delay
on the part of those who care anything for
art and who desire to see a really crcditablc
nucleus for an artistic institution estab-
l:shcd in this city. AS long as the
viab;lity of the enterprise was doubtful,
the hesitation Of those who really desired
its success was very natural. There was also
an easily comprehensive reluctance to give
considerable sums to an experiment which
might not give results for many years. But
these considerations belong to period of the
life of the Metropolitan Museum which is past
1t is now sure to succeed. The beginning of
its active operations is already at hand. By
the energy of it's officers and friends in New
York it has been placed on a most favorable
basis in relation to the State and by the far
sighted liberaty of two of its members a
most precious collection Of paintings has been
secured in Europe. which, when they arrive,
will form brilliant beginning for the future
labors and acquisitions of the Museum. Every
dollar now given will lead to immediate and
valuable results. Not only will these offerings
benefit posterty, but they will come back in
means of culture and qualification to the
givers. Here there is none of that robust faith
needed which casts its bread upon the waters.
You will hardly have parted withlyour money
when you find its full and generous equivalent
in the added attractions of life in the metrop-
oils.


1t will not even be necessary to await the
completion of the sum Of $2500OO, which the
Association has fixed as the minimum of sub
scrptiOns, for making q most useful commence
ment of the work of the Museum. 1t is pro-
posed to hold in a part of the building. as
soon as it is ready for use, Loan Exhibition
of works OF art, which SHALL as far as possible,
have historical and representative character,
showing the progress of art through the past,
rather than attempt full presentation of any
cotcmporaneous schools of painting. Enough
is known of the resources of the private gal
leries of Ncw-YOrk and its vicinity to insure
a most brilliant display for this exhibition, if
the efforts of the Association are only seconded
with ordinary zeal and public spirit among
collectors, and this the officers of the
Museum have no reason to doubt. In every
point of view this Loan Exhibition will be
of great advantage. 1t cannot fail to excite
general interest among all classes and to inn
plant in the minds of our intelligent trades
people, who have as yet had no opportunity
to study good artistic work, a curiosity which
will end in genuine appreciation and culture.
As the officers of the Museum apty remark in
their late address, this department of the art
galleries when once established would proba-
bly, be permanent, and would be continually
enriched by the deposit of valuable collections
whose owners are breaking up housekeeping
or living abroad.


We cannot but feel that at last there is q
reasonable certainty of prompt and satisfac-
tory realization of our long -batlled desire to
see established in New-York a permanent
Museum of Art. We hope our wealthy citi-
zens will have the wit to recognize that the
highest privilege and pleasure which comes
with riches in our day is the assistance and
patronage of such refining and civilizing insti-
tutons as this. We are sure that, before many
years, it will be a matter of grave regret to
any man of property that he failed to take
part in the creation of tho Metropolitan
Museum.


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