You might find it hard to believe, given my work, that I’d never been to New York City. Don’t worry, I’ve corrected this oversight and along the way I spent half a day in one of the most unique buildings I’ve ever set foot in, The Morgan Library. In a city of remarkable buildings, this one, along with the myriad artifacts contained within, left me speechless.
Astonishing History
Like many museums, The Morgan Library is a former residence, named after its owner, Mr. Morgan. Nestled within the heart of Manhattan, at 225 Madison Avenue, the structure is quintessential New York. However, the collection housed inside, which Mr. Morgan started amassing more than 130 years ago, has relics from all over the world.
Nichole standing in front of the Morgan Library’s Sol Le Witt – Wall Drawing 552D.
He purchased hundreds of illuminated manuscripts, historical documents, and rare book printings. There are also prints and drawings from old masters and revolutionaries alike. The building itself is even considered to be a masterpiece of architecture and design. Completed in 1906, it’s a breathtaking juxtaposition of the American Age of Elegance with the style of the Italian Renaissance.
Surprising Connections
There are enough treasures housed in the walls of this institution to write a lengthy treatise on, so I will only highlight some of the most notable pieces.
The Morgan Library holds this Gutenberg Bible.
- Gutenberg Bibles: Mr. Morgan’s collection of religious works included three Gutenberg Bibles. These Bibles are notable for being the first major book printed with mass produced, metal, moveable type. Production of Gutenberg bibles dates to the 1450s and there are only 49 remaining in the world.
- Portrait of a Man with a Pink: Painted by the Flemmish master Hans Memling in the 1480s, it is likely a commemoration of wedding and possibly one half of a pair, though that is conjecture.
- The First Italian Bible: For centuries, The Bible was only available in Latin, so the earliest volumes available in other languages are always notable. Bibles written in Italian are especially notable given the influence of the Vatican in Rome. The Morgan Library has one of only six remaining original copies of the first Italian Bibles.
- Numerous seals, tablets, and papyri dating back more than 4000 years.
Hidden Gem and Public Service
Were The Morgan Library placed in nearly any other city than New York, it would be a landmark boasted about in every discussion of the town. However, it is in New York and therefore has quite some competition for recognition. NYC is, after all, rather spoiled for choice in museums, art collections, and exhibits. That means that this smaller library often slips under the radar of many people, including myself.
It is also a standout for the fact that it is a functional library. Granted, to request an object for loan from the library one must generally have an academic purpose for it. The amazing objects housed inside are there to be studied and loaned out and it was always intended to be that, which is part of what strikes me as so remarkable.
A portrait of the man himself, Mr. John Pierpont Morgan.
To this point, I’ve been careful to say Mr. Morgan because I was most fascinated by the revelation that this Morgan was John Pierpont Morgan – one J.P. Morgan. Yes, that one. As in J.P. Morgan Chase Bank. He collected these works in his life for the explicit purpose of creating a library, not just for him, but for the public. His life and legacy is far from black and white, but making this collection available for the public to study was undoubtably born from a philanthropic desire.
The next time you find yourself in New York, your really must spend time in The Morgan Library. It will only take a few hours to visit, as I said, this isn’t a large place, but it may be one of the most memorable things you do.
