Eclectic Gatherings: September 2017
In the heart of Hartford, Connecticut, the Wadsworth Atheneum recently hosted an exhibition that offered a unique glimpse into the mind of one of the greatest art collectors of his time, John Pierpont Morgan. Entitled "Morgan: Mind of the Collector", the exhibition showcased a significant portion of Morgan's vast art collection, which spanned over 23 years and included thousands of works across various categories.
Morgan, a native of Hartford, was not only a successful banker, railroad tycoon, and steel magnate in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries but also an important philanthropist and avid art collector. His career as an art collector began after he became independently wealthy following his father's death in 1891. This marked a period of intense and focused collecting for Morgan.
The exhibition, sponsored by external sources, offered insights into Morgan's approach to art collection. He was a "collector of collections," seeking to acquire whole collections rather than individual items, making his holdings vast and varied. His art collection efforts became especially significant during this period, with Morgan assembling significant works across categories such as books, manuscripts, paintings, decorative arts, bronze statuettes, clocks, and gemstones.
Morgan's ceramics collection, a highlight of the exhibition, was obtained over the same 23-year period. The Wadsworth Atheneum had previously featured this collection in the exhibition "Great Collections: September 2017".
Morgan's impact on art collection was profound. He was a founding member and later a trustee, vice-president, and president of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In his leadership roles, he directed the museum's focus toward acquiring important and original works, stressing the quality and significance of pieces. Morgan donated many artworks and objects to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, including a large collection of French decorative arts.
Morgan's collection extended to gemstones, where by the early 1900s he held one of the most important collections in America, featuring over 1,000 American gems. This included collaborations with Tiffany & Co. and the involvement of gem expert George Frederick Kunz.
To house and preserve his rare books, manuscripts, and some art, Morgan commissioned the Morgan Library (now Morgan Library & Museum), completed between 1902 and 1906. This Italian Renaissance-style building was designed to store and display his prized collections.
After his death, Morgan's son, J.P. Morgan Jr., made significant portions of the collection public, founding the Pierpont Morgan Library as a public institution in 1924 to honour his father. Morgan's private librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, played a key role in managing and curating the collection, later becoming the first director of the Morgan Library.
Despite being one of the greatest collectors of his time, Morgan was not the only major American collector. However, he was distinguished by the sheer quantity of objects he collected. His approach combined personal passion with institutional development, ensuring his collections would educate and inspire future generations.
The vast art collection of John Pierpont Morgan, showcased in the "Morgan: Mind of the Collector" exhibition, included not only masterpieces of painting and sculpture but also a variety of business-related items, demonstrating Morgan's interest in lifestyle, finance, and even fashion-and-beauty, reflecting his diverse investments. As a successful banker, railroad tycoon, and steel magnate, Morgan's wealth further enabled him to venture into extensive art and gemstone collecting, which contributed significantly to the development of the business of art in America.
