Sputnik Guides Blog

Only a five minute walk from the Empire State Building, the Morgan Library is a wonderful example of the opulence of early 20th century bankers. The Morgan Library was founded by J.P. Morgan as a private library in 1906. He used it for his growing collection of manuscripts, rare books, old master drawings and other collectors items. In 1926, eleven years after his death, the institution was turned over to the public and turned into a museum accessible both to researchers and to the general public. The Morgan Library resembles a palace more than a library, and was built by Charles McKim of McKim, Mead & White, the most celebrate New York architectural firm of the time. In spite of appearances, this was not the Morgan residence. J.P. Morgan lived next door, in a brownstone on 36th and Madison.

Today, the library hosts temporary exhibitions that draw from their large collections. There are usually around four exhibitions at the same time, hosted in different sections of the museum. J.P. Morgan’s study and library, also known as the McKim rooms because they were decorated by Charles McKim, remain as they were a century ago and do not host any exhibitions but are worth visiting nonetheless. In addition to the exhibitions, there are also public programs, movie screenings, concerts and other events that take place on a regular basis. For more information about upcoming events and exhibitions, visit their website.

Location:

225 Madison Ave at 36th Street
New York, NY 10016

Hours:

Tuesday through Thursday: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission:

$12 Adults
$8 Children (under 16)
$8 Seniors (65 and over)
$8 Students (with current ID)
Admission is free on Fridays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission to the McKim rooms is without charge during the following times: Tuesday, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m to 6 p.m.

Tucked in a corner of Washington Heights on 155th and Broadway, the Hispanic Society of America is off the radar for most tourists. But no one even slightly interested in Spanish art or culture should miss their museum: it is the largest collection of Spanish art outside Spain. The museum is now nearing the end of their first renovation since opening in 1908. Their masterpiece, Visions of Spain, a 14 piece representation of the provinces and peoples of Spain painted by Joaquin Sorolla, has been restored is will be reinstalled on May 7, 2010.

Sorolla, the most successful Spanish painter at the turn of the 20th century, is considered a “painter of light” by art historians. His paintings are generally bathed in sunlight and are full of vibrant colors reminiscent of French impressionists. Although Sorolla’s paintings are more realistic than those of the impressionists, his style emulates theirs, both in his use of color and his large brush strokes that he makes no effort to hide. Sorolla was also influenced by photography; many of his paintings appear to be looking down on the subjects, a common perspective for photographers but rare for painters. Although he was a sought after portrait painter, Sorolla is most famous for beach scenes, inspired by his childhood in the Spanish coastal city of Valencia, and large paintings depicting everyday life.

Visions of Spain was the result of a conversation between Archer Huntington, founder of the Hispanic Society, and Sorolla in 1910. Huntington suggested that Sorolla paint a series of canvases depicting important events in Spanish history. Sorolla offered instead to do a series depicting the provinces and peoples of Spain. The resulting 14 canvases depicting 9 Spanish regions are considered his greatest work. In spite of the size and scope of the project, all of the paintings were composed from life sketches done en plen air.

The Hispanic Society has a total of 275 paintings by Sorolla, of which about 50 are on permanent display. Previously spread over the entire museum, his paintings will now be grouped together. The Sorolla Gallery contains only Visions of Spain, and the adjacent Main Court will contain other major works. The Portrait Gallery, also called the Library, will exhibit 30 portraits painted by Sorolla.

Now in the final stages of the renovations, the Hispanic Society Museum closed in January and February and will re-open on March 2nd, 2010. The Sorolla Gallery will re-open on May 7th, 2010. Admission is free. Visit www.hispanicsociety.org for more information.

Even in the depths of winter, the line to get on the Statue of Liberty Ferry snakes through Battery Park as tourists wait, some patiently, some less so, to take the 15 minute ride to the Statue of Liberty. Less than half of them will be able to go into the Statue. Only those who planned several months in advance will climb up to the crown. Just to the south, just far enough around the bend to be out of sight, there is another option.

The Staten Island Ferry is the only connection between Manhattan and Staten Island, and it is primarily a commuter ferry. But the best views of the Statue of Liberty are actually from the Staten Island Ferry. As the ferry swings away from Manhattan, Lady Liberty appears on the right. The statue stays in view for about half of the 25 minute ride, and you’ll get a view from several angles, including a straight on view of her face.

If you go out to Staten Island, you’ll also have to come back. On the way back the Brooklyn Bridge is visible to the right, so don’t spend the whole trip back looking at the statue. But if you didn’t get a good photo on the way there, you will get a second chance.

Now for the details. The Staten Island Ferry runs 24 hours a day, but less frequently in the wee hours of the night. It is the only way to get a good look at the Statue of Liberty at night. For a schedule, visit www.siferry.com. It is free, and there is seating both inside and outside.