THE MORGAN LIBRARY: AN AMERICAN MASTERPIECE

Now recognized as one of the world''s greatest treasuries of seminal artistic, literary, musical and historical works, The Morgan Library in New York began in the 1890s as the private collection of the legendary American financier for whom it was named. Morgan was neither a scholar nor a connoisseur, but he acquired works with an intuitive eye, on a vast scale, which is reflected in the quality and scope of the library''s collections. Morgan found inspiration in the European model of a `gentleman''s library'', acquiring medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts, early and rare printed books, fine bindings and old master drawings. While the focus was primarily on Western European materials, Morgan had a great interest in the works of important American authors and historical figures. Following Morgan''s death in 1913, the library passed to his son J. P. Morgan, Jr., who in 1924 established the library as a public institution. This highly illustrated publication presents the most significant examples of the library''s holdings of paintings and art objects, medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, printed books, autograph manuscripts, children''s books and drawings and prints. Seven chapters cover each of the main collecting areas, with key works illustrated in full colour and described with extended captions and commentaries. In addition, each chapter opens with an introductory text assessing the significance of each of the library''s constituent collections within their wider art historical and literary context.