The Morgan Library underwent a $106 million modern expansion by Renzo Piano in 2006, which enabled curators to present several temporary exhibitions at once. Displaying Morgan’s permanent collection was still a constraint due to lack of space, which necessitated the current renovation scheme.
Built in 1906, the new $4.5 million renovation scheme will provide more exhibition space for Morgan’s collection, particularly rare books and centuries-old drawings that are sensitive to light, which makes them difficult to display in the light-filled new addition created by the architect Renzo Piano in 2006.
The renovation project will also give a makeover to its multistoried library made of marble and mosaic rotunda, which was untouched during the 2006 renovation and expansion scheme. It will also involve an upgrade of its old skylight.
The building’s North Room, the former office of the Morgan’s first director, will be unveiled to the public for the first time. The North Room is redesigned as a gallery including objects from the ancient Near East, Egypt, Rome and Greece. The gallery will also feature artifacts from the early medieval period. The room’s fifteenth century marble Italian fireplace will be cleaned and a pair of Egyptian basalt votive figures will stand on the new pedestals flanking it.
Bookshelves along the perimeter of the room will display a group of ancient seals collected by Morgan. The room’s original gold-plated chandeliers will be restored to its original grandeur. The old glass in the bookshelves in Morgan’s library will be replaced with non-reflective glass and the fluorescent tubes with sophisticated lighting technology. This will make it possible for the visitors to see Morgan’s collection. Renovation will also restore the decorative ceiling featuring the work of the muralist Henry Siddons Mowbray and the original large bronze lantern.
Beyer Blinder Belle will work in association with the exhibition designer Stephen Saitas and the lighting designer Richard Renfro.
