The new exhibit on Richard Morris Hunt’s (1827–1895) life and work offers an unprecedented look at his Gilded Age legacy, manifold life, and cultural influences. Just walk down Bellevue and view the Tudor-style buildings, and you can see his influence everywhere. We had the opportunity to preview the exhibition at Rosecliff, with Chief Curator Leslie Jones guiding members of the press through the display as preparations were being finalized. We got an insider’s view on what makes this show special and a more detailed telling of Hunt’s intriguing story.
“Richard Morris Hunt: In a New Light” brings together, for the first time, over a hundred artifacts from premier institutions, including the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, the Vermont Historical Society, the Bennington Museum, and the Preservation Society’s own collections. This culminates in a showcase that illuminates his lesser-known personal history, his family’s contributions, his varied artistic pursuits, and intellectual ambitions. It’s a first-time, complete portrait of the celebrated cultural icon.
“As caretakers of Marble House, The Breakers and Chateau-sur-Mer, we are reminded every day of the impact Richard Morris Hunt made on American architecture,” Preservation Society CEO and Executive Director Trudy Coxe said in a press release announcing the show. “But this exhibition promises to reveal another side of this complex man who did so much to shape our understanding of culture in this country.”
Many will come to this showing with perhaps some familiarity with the well-documented designs for Newport’s Marble House, Ochre Court, Château-sur-Mur, The Breakers, and Lenox Library, the first library in New York. With his many architectural marvels in New York—such as William K. Vanderbilt’s “Petit Chateau” and Henry G. Marquand’s Madison Ave. home (both since demolished)—“Hunt quickly established himself as the visionary to design New York’s Gilded Age skyline” (exhibit notes). We also have Hunt to thank for Lady Liberty’s pedestal.
The objects on display at Rosecliff offer greater insight into the mind of the man who was well-traveled, highly knowledgeable in worldwide cultural influences, and his vision for art. It’s no surprise coming from the first American to attend the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. To help illustrate his well-traveled influences, there’s even a display of all the places he trekked.
His classical ideals and artistic work ethic are on full display throughout “In a New Light,” impressively presented with a large array of Hunt’s own collected photographs (which are amazing to behold). A fascinating arrangement that takes up an entire wall in one of the rooms (not to be missed), visitors can view the influences in detail that helped him design some of the greatest examples of Gilded Age architecture the world has ever seen.
“With a renewed focus on the Hunt Collection at the Library of Congress, new scholarship has provided greater insight into who Hunt was and who he wanted to be, along with his vision for America at a time of great transformation in both the built and cultural landscapes,” said chief curator Jones in the press release. “His ambition for identifying what American culture should be through public and private spaces, particularly his role in the founding of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, has been largely overlooked.
“We are bringing together material selected by Hunt, which inspired his ability to influence America’s impressionable cultural landscape during the Gilded Age,” Jones said. “In a way, while we know Hunt as an architect, we are presenting him as a man.”
On display are also personal artifacts that demonstrate his work and design philosophies in great detail, such as scrapbooks (yes, he scrapbooked!), architectural drawings, and the many photographs he acquired over his lifetime.
Some of these documents are sensitive to light, and in the past, Rosecliff would not have been able to display them to the public. However, the historic mansion just underwent a major renovation to its light system, which can now be calibrated by candle usage settings. This is a major milestone for the Preservation Society since it now means that Rosecliff can display sophisticated exhibitions with sensitive artworks and documents. Without the new lighting paradigm, many of the documents from the Library of Congress wouldn’t have been approved. It’s a real boon for the organization that sets Rosecliff as a more serious gallery space. “Richard Morris Hunt: In a New Light” is the first to benefit from this groundbreaking upgrade.
Other poignant artifacts include a family photo album offering a glimpse into Hunt’s private world, there’s an intriguing John Singer Sargent portrait of Cornelius Vanderbilt (beautiful, but also curious), and contributions by his artistic siblings.
“I found a wonderful quote in the Journal of Ralph Waldo Emerson,” said Jones, “[who] calls them ‘the remarkable Hunt family,’ talking about Hunt and his brothers and how incredibly extraordinary they are in their talents.”
There are also nods to the intellectual circles he ran in, such as his connection to Julia Ward Howe, who founded the Newport Town and Country Club, and where Hunt (and Mark Twain) frequently lectured. Another highlight is the 55-inch plaster cast of Hunt’s likeness and an 1874 sketchbook detailing Hunt’s observations on a trip to Cologne, Germany, demonstrating his interests in buildings, churches and landscapes.
“Plaster casts might not seem that exciting, but in the 19th century, it was incredibly important for people studying architecture to have plaster casts that were direct copies of historical architectural features,” said Jones during the preview. We found the plaster cast to be a terrific highlight.
“In a New Light” also displays Hunt’s great impact on Newport’s landscape. There are documents and photographs of many of these private homes, especially intriguing since many of these no longer exist. The Rosecliff display provides a comprehensive anthology of Hunt’s undeniable influence in Newport and beyond. There are also never-before-seen sketches and models for unrealized projects, such as a fascinating chandelier for The Breakers. Also included is a posthumously realized design for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Curating the exhibit took approximately nine months, according to Jones. The chief curator said that one of the biggest surprises was uncovering the rich artistic legacy of the Hunt family, and she was very proud to incorporate this into the Rosecliff display. It’s the first time that all these architectural and interior drawings, personal sketchbooks and scrapbooks, and intimate family objects and collections have been curated into one holistic collection. It’s an architectural, design, and cultural marvel to view it all in one comprehensive display space. With the new lighting system in place, Rosecliff will have an exciting advantage in its ability to display complex exhibitions in the future.
“Richard Morris Hunt: In a New Light” opens up to the public on May 30, at Rosecliff mansion, with a member preview on May 29, followed by a reception. This exhibit will remain through Nov. 2, 2025. The Library of Congress is also currently at work on a project to digitize all of Hunt’s collection.
Collating Hunt’s contributions to design and culture is an ongoing project. “Hunt’s legacy is continuing. We’re still trying to figure it out, too,” said Jones. The Rosecliff exhibition is a major step in this direction.
