The Morgan

Once the library of financier Pierpont Morgan—now a museum, research library, music venue, architectural landmark, and historic site. #MorganLibrary

[The New Yorker @NewYorker]

There are 41 works in Lisa Yuskavage’s new exhibit at the Morgan Library. The drawings “show different things, including how shading effects a mood,” Hilton Als writes. https://t.co/8iuYSBUNaa

[The New Criterion @newcriterion]

Our critic’s pick: “Franz Kafka” at the Morgan Library & Museum, New York (through April 13, 2025). @MorganLibrary @bodleianlibs

https://t.co/9ocaMdVCAw

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

@poppymoppet We're honored to be able to share such fine works of art!

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

@BobEckstein @lithub @TheRosenbach Thanks for the feature, Bob!

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

Medieval Money, Merchants, and Morality closes Sun, 3/10! Left, a dying man waits for a priest to perform Last Rites (religious rituals for the dying). Without them, his soul cannot enter heaven but can be admitted to purgatory, seen as a place of purification by fire (right).

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

Let’s play a game! Here, coins are one of the four suits in a deck of playing cards commissioned by Francesco Sforza, a condottiere (mercenary leader) who became duke of Milan. Appropriately, the enthroned King of Coins holds a huge gold coin as well as a scepter.

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

Medieval money management advice: the text on this page recommends that when a man nears the age of 48, he should acquire what he needs to sustain him in his old age, an act of prudent money management.

#MorganLibrary
#medievalist

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

Commissioned by Catherine of Cleves, this prayerbook is one of the greatest Dutch illuminated manuscripts ever produced. The coins in the border are painted so accurately that most can be identified. The saintly Pope Gregory is shown in the central image.

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

Did you catch us on the Today Show yesterday? Curators Philip Palmer and Erica Ciallela were honored to share the story of Belle da Costa Greene and her legacy! #MorganLibrary #BelledaCostaGreene

[TODAY @TODAYshow]

J.P. Morgan was a titan in the finance industry — and he had a partner in his quest for rare books.

@LauraAJarrett shares the story of trailblazing librarian Belle da Costa Greene before becoming the curator of Morgan’s museum, all while shielding her identity.

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

It’s all about balance! Balances were used to check the weight of medieval coins. A coin would be placed in the balance’s flat triangular pan, while a brass piece, equivalent to the coin’s standard weight, was set in the round pan.

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

At nearly 800 lbs, this strongbox would have been nearly impossible for thieves to cart away! This one has an advanced security system, with nine bolts and various leaf-shaped shields operated by a system of levers and springs.

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

The character Sorgheloos (“Carefree” in medieval Dutch) figures in a popular Netherlandish story that served as a morality tale for the late medieval bourgeoisie who could afford luxury objects like this exquisite stained-glass roundel. #medieval #MedievalMoney

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

Who knew medieval paintings also offered budgeting advice? Joachim and Anna, the Virgin Mary’s parents, are portrayed here as models of charitable behavior. Joachim and Anna kept only 1/3 of their income, giving another third to the poor and the remainder to the Temple. #medieval

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

Is it moral to make money using money? Many medieval thinkers, inspired by the Greek philosopher Aristotle, condemned usurers and investors who made money multiply “against nature” and hoarded earnings rather than recirculating them and benefitting others.

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

Happy New Year from the Morgan! Here's a small sneak peek of what's to come: in 2024, we're exploring the life of Beatrix Potter, drawings by Walton Ford, and the life and legacy of our first director, Belle da Costa Greene.

We can't wait to see you in 2024!

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

Should Old Acquaintance be forgot . . . Happy New Year's Eve from the Morgan! The full poem of Auld Lang Syne is handwritten here in this letter, from the creator Robert Burns to the Scottish music collector George Thomson. #NewYearsEve #AuldLangSyne

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

Happy New Year's Eve from the Morgan! What do you have planned for January so far? Calendars in Books of Hours often had illustrations of the "labors of the month": this illustration for January suggests we should be keeping warm and feasting! #medievalist

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

After St. Anthony Abbot withdrew to the wilderness to avoid worldly temptation, the devil tested him repeatedly. Here the saint resists a large mass of gold that appears on his path-- throwing up his arm in alarm, he flees so hastily his robe flutters behind him. #medieval

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

Happy Holidays from the Morgan! 🎁 🎄 ✨ Whether you're traveling or staying at home this holiday season, we hope you have a warm, safe, and joyous time.

#HappyHolidays
#MorganLibrary

[The Morgan @MorganLibrary]

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Véra Molnar, a Hungarian-born artist who has been called the godmother of generative art for her pioneering digital work. We honor her work and legacy to the contemporary art landscape. #VeraMolnar