The exhibit, A Woman’s Wit: Jane Austen’s Life and Legacy, will be shown through March 14, 2010 at the Morgan Library in New York City. This week I had the distinct pleasure of seeing this unique presentation of Jane’s letters, the drafts of two of her novels (The Watsons and Lady Susan), several books, and images and cartoons of the Regency era.
I had taken a number of shots with my flip camera before a museum guard advised me that I could not take pictures. (Since it was possible to take pictures to my heart’s delight in The Louvre, it did not cross my mind that I could not do so at the Morgan Library). Interestingly, I had already taken numerous shots in full view of everyone before the guard stopped me.
The room is small; the riches contained within it are immeasurable
The actual exhibition area is contained within a small room, but there are so many letters and items of interest that I could have spent the entire day inside that space. Jane’s Life and Legacy were divided into three sections – her life and personal letters, her works, and her legacy. Over the next few weeks I shall write about my impressions from that exhibit, tying in other links and posts.
Entrance to new wing from Madison Ave
If you are not familiar with the Morgan Library and Museum, some information about its history might be of interest:
Interior of the new wing
A complex of buildings in the heart of New York City, The Morgan Library & Museum began as the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan, one of the preeminent collectors and cultural benefactors in the United States. Today it is a museum, independent research library, musical venue, architectural landmark, and historic site. More than a century after its founding, the Morgan maintains a unique position in the cultural life of New York City and is considered one of its greatest treasures. With the 2006 reopening of its newly renovated campus, designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, the Morgan reaffirmed its role as an important repository for the history, art, and literature of Western civilization from 4000 B.C. to the twenty-first century. – Press Release information
Original entrance
The following links might also interest you:
- ArcSpace.com: Morgan Library: This fascinating link shows images and architectural drawings of the new addition of the Morgan Library
- Collector’s Portrait: John Pierpont Morgan: Find out more about John Pierpont Morgan in this link.
Vaulted Ceiling
Jane Austen's World 
Thanks Vic for the heads up. It’s a pity I’m thousands of km away from NY. I can only enjoy the exhibition from your posts. Happy New Year to you too. Hope you have a great 2010!
Really Angelic
I went to see this exhibit with friends on Jane Austen’s birthday and I really enjoyed it. I, of course, which it had been larger but what I really liked was not just reading her letters and seeing the drafts of The Lady Susan and the Watsons but also watching the film with people like Fran Leibowitz and Cornel West talking about why they loved Jane Austen.
Happy New Years Eve Vic! Oooooh you lucky gal! I lurve the sneak peak already!
Hi, you might be interested in my review of An Illuminated Life, a biography of Belle Greene, the surprising woman who was J. P. Morgan’s librarian and who did a great deal of his collecting for him. It was published in the Women’s Review of Books and is also on my blog (easier to find there.)
Thanks for the sneak peak! I’m behind in my blog reading and am just catching up. I’ll be looking forward to reading your thoughts on this display and thanks for the pictures–a nice treat!
Great site, exactly what I was looking for, I can’t get your RSS feed to work right in google chrome though, is it on my end?
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Good posting, I favorited your blog so I can visit again in the near future, All the Best
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