Morgan Library Exhibits Old Masters

By JESSICA MARQUEZ

The Nationalmuseum of Sweden and the Morgan Library & Museum on Thursday held a press preview of a dazzling array of 75 Old Master paintings and drawings — including ones by Raphael, Rembrandt, Ghirlandaio, van Dyck and many others — to be exhibited from Feb. 3 to May 14. 

Morgan Museum director, Colin B. Bailey and curator John Marciari, gave reporters a mini-tour of the collection of masterpieces first assembled in the 18th Century by Count Carl Gustaf Tessin, a Swedish diplomat and avid art collector.

Bailey called the exhibit “a great opportunity for New York”.

The collection is being displayed in New York as the Nationalmuseum was closed for renovation. 

Among the fourteen paintings, all in their original frames, were such standouts as François Boucher’s “The Triumph of Venus” and Jean-Baptiste Oudry’s “The Dachshund Pehr with Dead Game and Rifle” a painting of the collector’s dog.  The artwork can be found in the Morgan Stanley Gallery of the Morgan Museum, in the East and West rooms.

Tessin began his collection when stationed in Paris from 1749 to 1742.

The Count came into contact with the top artists during that time and commissioned work from them. He eventually became friends with these artists, especially Boucher, Jean-Siméon Chardin, and  Oudry.

Tessin also obtained some of his collection from old master paintings and drawings sale, where he was considered an active buyer.

By the end of his stay, Tessin was heavy in debt due to spending on his art collection. He sold most of his collection to Swedish King Fredik I.