Friday, November 8, 2013

Gilded New York at the Museum of the City of New York

Michele Gordigiani, “Cornelia Ward Hall and Her Children,” 1880 • Oil on canvas • Museum of the City of New York, Bequest of Mrs. Martha Hall Barrett, 61.155.1

I am quite excited to share this information with you about a fabulous upcoming exhibit. The Gilded Age in New York City, opening November 13th at The Museum of the City of New York. The Gilded Age is somewhat of a huge fascination of mine, and in New York City during that time, it was quite spectacular. A time of great wealth with men so well known today by their last names: Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Morgan, Frick, Clark, Astor. The opera, theatre, and lavish parties were the favorite choices for the wealthy in New York City. While the rich wore diamonds and furs, the poor were not so lucky. In 1890, 11 million of the nation's 12 million families earned less than $1,200.00 per year, of this group, the average annual income was $380.00, well below poverty. I watched a documentary on the history channel titled The Men Who Built America, and they talked about how JP Morgan lent money to the government to keep it afloat. He had that much available to him, can you even imagine what they must have been like? 

Here is some information and a few photos from the "not-to-be-missed" exhibit: 

Explore the visual culture of elite New York in the late-19th and early- 20th centuries.

Inaugurating the Museum’s Tiffany & Co. Foundation Gallery, Gilded New York explores the city’s visual culture at the end of the 19th century, when its elite class flaunted their money as never before. In New York, this era was marked by the sudden rise of industrial and corporate wealth, amassed by such titans as Cornelius Vanderbilt and Jay Gould, who expressed their high status through extravagant fashions, architecture, and interior design. The exhibition presents a lavish display of some 100 works, including costumes, jewelry, portraits, and decorative objects, all created between the mid-1870s and the early 20th century. The dazzling works in the exhibition will illuminate an era when members of the new American aristocracy often displayed their wealth in storied balls in Fifth Avenue mansions and hotels. It was a time when New York became the nation’s corporate headquarters and a popular Ladies’ Mile of luxury retail establishments and cultural institutions helped launch the city to global prominence.
Fancy dress costume by Maison Worth representing “Electric Light,” 1883 • Worn by Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt II to the Vanderbilt Ball • Museum of the City of New York, Gift of Countess Laszlo Szechenyi, 51.284.3

Folding fan by Duvelleroy, c. 1900 • Painted silk, feathers, mother-of-pearl • Museum of the City of New York, Gift of Mrs. William Warner Hoppin, 48.314.15

Tiffany & Co., Pendant brooch, ca. 1900 • Platinum, diamond, sapphire • Museum of the City of New York, Bequest of Mrs. V. S. Young, 82.163.1

Satin damask wedding gown by Maison Worth, 1878 • Worn by Annie Schermerhorn • Museum of the City of New York, Gift of Miss Fannie M. Cottenet, 32.249A-B

Marcus & Co., Necklace, 1900 • Gold, natural pearls, demantoid garnet, enamel • Courtesy of Siegelson, New York


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1220 Fifth Avenue (at 103rd Street)

New York, NY 10029

212-534-1672

The Museum and Museum Store are open seven days a week from 10:00 am–6:00 pm.
Chalsty’s Café is open daily from 10:00 am–5:00 pm.
Suggested Admission
Adults: $10
Seniors, students: $6 (with I.D.)
Families: $20 (max. 2 adults)
Children 12 and under: free
Members: free
The Museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

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6 comments

therelishedroost said...

I must go see this!!Thanks for sharing have a great weekend!!
Karolyn

nycstylelittlecannoli said...

I am attending the exhibit next Saturday Cannot wait

Chic Delights said...

I adore the Gilded Age too. Fascinating stories about the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers. That's why I also enjoy ready Henry James novels. Enjoy your weekend.

Jamie said...

Wow! When I lived in NYC or visited my brother we went to all the exhibits like this. I am also so fascinated by how people lived. As being from immigrant stock, those that probably earned closer to $380 a year than the billions of the Vanderbilts, it really adds a layer of fascination. Thanks for sharing. Maybe it will still be showing when I come to NYC next!

nycstylelittlecannoli said...

Thanx for stopping by! Yes, a really interesting time. I have to look into the Henry James novels.

A Very Sweet Blog said...

that is definitely an exhibit that everyone should go to. i wish i lived in the area. so exquisite.
http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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