Past Exhibitions

September 30, 2022 through January 22, 2023

Throughout his long life and career, the artist Ashley Bryan created and illustrated children’s books that celebrated Black life and Black creativity.

Watercolor showing three quarter view of stylized figure holding yellow flower with hands pressed against eachother. Yellow, green, blue and brown waves are in the background.
May 10, 2022 through January 8, 2023

Belle da Costa Greene (1879–1950) began working as J. Pierpont Morgan’s librarian in 1905.

Portrait of Belle da Costa Greene in side profile looking left wearing a hat with a feather.
February 11, 2022 through October 23, 2022

The nineteenth century in Europe saw the rise of plein air painting, in which artists used oil paint while working outdoors.

Moonlight seascape showing shore and sailing ship in dark ominous colors.
June 17 through October 2, 2022

A widely connected pioneer of Pop and mail art, Ray Johnson (1927–1995) was described as “New York’s most famous unknown artist.”

Color photograph of a hand holding up a blue baseball cap bill with the sea and sky in the background.
June 3 through October 2, 2022

One Hundred Years of James Joyce’s “Ulysses” explores Joyce’s trajectory from lyric poet to modernist genius.

Sepia toned photograph of James Joyce seated looking at camera wearing glasses.
June 10 through September 18, 2022

With rarely seen architectural drawings, period photographs, and significant rare books and manuscripts from Morgan’s collection, this exhibition traces the design, construction, and early life of J. Pierpont Morgan’s Library.

Architectural rendering of J. Pierpont Morgan's Library showing view from 36th with figures in foreground and trees on either side.
June 10 through September 11, 2022

With the exception of small displays in cafés and bookshops in the 1950s and ‘60s, this exhibition of sixty drawings, two accordion-fold sketchbooks, and five printed works, is the first time Barton’s art is being seen by the public.

Line drawing of of a street scen with a male figure in the foreground holding his head in his hands with another male figure on the right, with a plant in between them and third male figure to the left.
Through August 21, 2022

The 2022 Morgan Book Project exhibition of illuminated manuscripts made by New York City students in grades 3–12 features the annual selection of 12 judges’ picks and the singular Director’s Choice.

January 28 through June 5, 2022

This exhibition celebrates the life and work of American poet Gwendolyn Brooks (1917–2000).

Book cover of seated figure wearing a yellow dress withb hand-written text saying to Gwen with Love.
February 18 through May 22, 2022

Author of more than three thousand folk songs, Woody Guthrie (1912–1967) is one of the most influential songwriters and recording artists in American history.

Black and white photograph of Woody Guthrie playing the guitar.