Gilded Age in New York: The Responsibility of Wealth

The small but rich exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York shows us the confident New Yorkers of the city's gilded age of the 19th century. Wealth these days is tossed aside like some kind of poxy. No-one wants to be identified as rich, let alone look rich. It is all about commiserating in equal misery with the poor, and reducing one's standards, or apparently reducing one's standards, in solidarity with the poor.

What caught my attention was the confidence with which these New Yorkers "wore" their wealth. Beauty, especially for the women, is their way to show their confidence, and also their desire to put order and goodness into the world. Wearing a beautifully designed necklace is way of showing their respect and love of the world God has given them. Arranging their homes with details of silk, velvet, and gold and silver threads gives their families a soothing abode of beauty where spirits and souls can rest.

The confidence of these wealthy 19th century New Yorkers comes from the responsibilities that they are willing to take on. They take seriously the Biblical quote: "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."

Wealth is not an isolated entity, but is somehow interconnected with the rest of the world, and of course with God. Their burden is to do search the correct path for beauty and wealth to have a good and Godly purpose. Portraits of young children show that this confidence, and this burden of responsibilty, is acquired at a young age.


Cornelia Ward and Her Children


Virginia Michels Stern (Mrs. Isaac Stern)


DeLancey Iselin Kane


William K. Vanderbilt


Folding fan, made by Duvelleroy, c. 1900
Painted silk, feathers, mother-of-pearl


Mrs. Joseph De La Mar


Mrs. William Bayard Cutting), 1887


Tiffany & Co. necklace, 1904
Gold, diamond, pearls, turquoise, enamel

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Posted By: Kidist P. Asrat
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