Artwork
Entrance Hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art when in Fourteenth Street

Entrance Hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art when in Fourteenth Street is an oil painting by Frank Waller. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The medium allows for the detailed representation of the woman, interior architecture, and sculptural elements that define the composition's subject matter.
Created in 1881, this work is an oil painting executed on a panel support. The artist, Frank Waller, utilized oil paint to render the interior scene, which depicts the museum's entrance hall along with figures and sculptures. The physical dimensions of the panel measure 30.5 cm in height and 40.6 cm in width.
Stylistically, the painting functions as an interior view, capturing the architectural space and specific objects within the Metropolitan Museum of Art during its earlier location on Fourteenth Street. The medium allows for the detailed representation of the woman, interior architecture, and sculptural elements that define the composition's subject matter.
History & Provenance
The painting titled Entrance Hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art when in Fourteenth Street was created by Frank Waller in 1881. Executed in oil paint on a panel, the work measures 30.5 centimeters in height and 40.6 centimeters in width. The piece depicts an interior scene featuring a woman, sculptures, and the museum setting.
Following its creation, the artwork entered the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains located. The specific details regarding the initial commission, the original owner, or the precise chain of custody prior to its accession by the museum are not detailed in the available records, which primarily confirm the artist, date, medium, dimensions, and current institutional home.
Frank Waller's 1881 oil painting, Entrance Hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art when in Fourteenth Street, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work, executed on panel, measures 30.5 by 40.6 centimeters and depicts an interior scene featuring a woman and a sculpture within the museum's former Fourteenth Street location. While the provided sources confirm the artwork's current institutional home and physical characteristics, they do not specify a unique inventory or accession number for the piece.
Furthermore, the available documentation offers no details regarding a specific exhibition history or past display venues for this painting.
Overview
Frank Waller's 1891 oil painting, "Entrance Hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art when in Fourteenth Street," captures the interior of the institution's initial home. The work offers a glimpse into the museum's early presentation, featuring classical sculptures and a solitary figure within its grand entrance. This piece serves as a historical record of a significant cultural landmark in late 19th-century New York, reflecting the era's burgeoning public art scene.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays the Metropolitan Museum's entrance hall, populated by an array of classical statuary arranged on pedestals. A lone woman, accompanied by a small child, stands centrally, drawing the viewer's eye. This scene not only documents the physical space but also underscores the museum's emerging function as a public cultural and educational center in New York City during a period of significant urban development and institutional growth.
Context
The painting reflects the increasing establishment and public accessibility of cultural institutions across the United States in the late 19th century. Waller, known for his architectural background and his work in Orientalist and landscape genres, applied his skills to capture this significant civic space. His depiction contributes to understanding the evolving role of museums as centers for art and education in American society.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Frank Waller (12 June 1842, New York City - 9 March 1923, Morristown, NJ) was an American architect, Orientalist and landscape painter.










