@MorganLibrary

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

 New York, NY
themorgan.org
Joined February 2009
  • Tweets12.3K
  • Following1.3K
  • Followers41.7K
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).
Deathbed (left) and Souls Tormented in Purgatory (right) “The Hours of Catherine of Cleves” Illuminated by the Master of Catherine of Cleves The Netherlands, Utrecht, ca. 1440 The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, MS M.917/945, p. 180–fol. 97r. Purchased on the Belle da Costa Greene Fund and through the generosity of the Fellows, 1963 and 1970. Photography by Janny Chiu.

ALT Deathbed (left) and Souls Tormented in Purgatory (right) “The Hours of Catherine of Cleves” Illuminated by the Master of Catherine of Cleves The Netherlands, Utrecht, ca. 1440 The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, MS M.917/945, p. 180–fol. 97r. Purchased on the Belle da Costa Greene Fund and through the generosity of the Fellows, 1963 and 1970. Photography by Janny Chiu.

4
25
99
5,831
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.
Eight of Coins, King of Coins, and Ten of Coins Playing Cards Illuminated by Bonifacio Bembo Italy, Milan, ca. 1450–80 The Morgan Library & Museum, MS M.630, nos. 20, 32, 33. Photography by Graham S. Haber.

ALT Eight of Coins, King of Coins, and Ten of Coins Playing Cards Illuminated by Bonifacio Bembo Italy, Milan, ca. 1450–80 The Morgan Library & Museum, MS M.630, nos. 20, 32, 33. Photography by Graham S. Haber.

2
18
1
36
4,281
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
Workshop of Jean Pichore, Man Preparing for His Old Age, from a book of hours, France, Paris, 1510–20. The Morgan Library & Museum, MS M.813, fol. 13r. Photography by Janny Chiu

ALT Workshop of Jean Pichore, Man Preparing for His Old Age, from a book of hours, France, Paris, 1510–20. The Morgan Library & Museum, MS M.813, fol. 13r. Photography by Janny Chiu

3
18
1
51
4,549
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.
Master of Catherine of Cleves, St. Gregory the Great and Coins, from the Hours of Catherine of Cleves, The Netherlands, Utrecht, ca. 1440. The Morgan Library & Museum, MS M.917/945, p 240. Photography by Janny Chiu

ALT Master of Catherine of Cleves, St. Gregory the Great and Coins, from the Hours of Catherine of Cleves, The Netherlands, Utrecht, ca. 1440. The Morgan Library & Museum, MS M.917/945, p 240. Photography by Janny Chiu

49
2
177
8,840
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.
Boxed balance with weights Germany, Cologne, 1699 Produced by Berndt Odental (weights) and Jacob Heuscher (balance). Courtesy of the American Numismatic Society, New York, 1930.179.1-24. Photography by Alan Roche.

ALT Boxed balance with weights Germany, Cologne, 1699 Produced by Berndt Odental (weights) and Jacob Heuscher (balance). Courtesy of the American Numismatic Society, New York, 1930.179.1-24. Photography by Alan Roche.

7
1
25
2,305
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.
3
19
1,732
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
Sorgheloos in Poverty Colorless glass, vitreous paint, and silver stain Netherlands, 1510–20 The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Cloisters Collection, New York, 1999.243. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Image source: Art Resource, NY

ALT Sorgheloos in Poverty Colorless glass, vitreous paint, and silver stain Netherlands, 1510–20 The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Cloisters Collection, New York, 1999.243. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Image source: Art Resource, NY

5
25
1,741
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
Andrea di Bartolo, Joachim and Anna Giving Food to the Poor and Offerings to the Temple. Oil on poplar, Italy, Siena, ca. 1400–1405. Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, Samuel H. Kress Collection, 1939.1.43.

ALT Andrea di Bartolo, Joachim and Anna Giving Food to the Poor and Offerings to the Temple. Oil on poplar, Italy, Siena, ca. 1400–1405. Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, Samuel H. Kress Collection, 1939.1.43.

3
30
1,681
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.
Visitation and Shower of Coins Book of Hours Illuminated by the Master of Sir George Talbot Belgium, Bruges, ca. 1500 The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, MS M.390, fols. 44v–45r. Photography by Janny Chiu.

ALT Visitation and Shower of Coins Book of Hours Illuminated by the Master of Sir George Talbot Belgium, Bruges, ca. 1500 The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, MS M.390, fols. 44v–45r. Photography by Janny Chiu.

7
28
2,355
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!
J. Pierpont Morgan’s Library, view from 36th Street. Courtesy of the Morgan Library & Museum, New York. © Brett Beyer, 2022.

ALT J. Pierpont Morgan’s Library, view from 36th Street. Courtesy of the Morgan Library & Museum, New York. © Brett Beyer, 2022.

Beatrix Potter (1866–1943), Mrs Rabbit pouring out the tea for Peter while her children look on, 1902-1907. Linder Bequest. Museum no. BP.468. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London, / courtesy of Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.

ALT Beatrix Potter (1866–1943), Mrs Rabbit pouring out the tea for Peter while her children look on, 1902-1907. Linder Bequest. Museum no. BP.468. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London, / courtesy of Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.

Walton Ford (b. 1960), Leipzig Study 2, 2018, watercolor, gouache, and ink over graphite on paper, 7 3/4 x 15 1/4 in. The Morgan Library & Museum, gift of the artist, 2019.230. (c) 2023 Walton Ford.

ALT Walton Ford (b. 1960), Leipzig Study 2, 2018, watercolor, gouache, and ink over graphite on paper, 7 3/4 x 15 1/4 in. The Morgan Library & Museum, gift of the artist, 2019.230. (c) 2023 Walton Ford.

2
4
1
21
2,005
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
Installation views: Robert Burns and "Auld Lang Syne, " December 9, 2011, through February 5, 2012, Thaw Gallery, Photography by Graham S. Haber, 2011.

ALT Installation views: Robert Burns and "Auld Lang Syne, " December 9, 2011, through February 5, 2012, Thaw Gallery, Photography by Graham S. Haber, 2011.

7
2
31
2,433
Load more