Menu
Friends of Wanamaker Organ
Celebrating the Heritage of a National Historic Landmark Pipe Organ
  • Home
  • Music & Visiting
    • DAILY CONCERTS
    • SPECIAL CONCERTS
    • CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW
    • WANAMAKER ORGAN TOURS
    • BROADCASTS
    • NEWS STORIES
    • THE FRIENDS WURLITZER
    • DIRECTIONS TO MACY’S
  • History & Specs
    • RESTORATION OVERVIEW
    • ABOUT THE ORGAN
    • THE STOPLIST
    • STORE LORE
    • WANAMAKER ORGANISTS
    • JOHN WANAMAKER
    • RODMAN WANAMAKER
    • GEORGE ASHDOWN AUDSLEY
    • LISTENER GUIDE / MUSIC SAMPLES
    • THE ONGOING RESTORATION
  • Join Us!
    • ABOUT THE FRIENDS
    • JOIN OUR RANKS!
    • RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
    • SAMPLE OUR NEWSLETTER
    • RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER
    • MAKE A DONATION
    • SPONSOR A PROJECT
    • NAMED GIFTS
    • MAKE A BEQUEST
  • Contact Us
  • WEB STORE
    • CDs and DVDs
    • BOOKS & GIFTS
    • CAFEPRESS STORE
    • MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
    • TOURS / JOIN THE FRIENDS
    • CHRISTMAS
    • MAKE A DONATION
    • CONCERT TICKETS
Close Menu
Wanamaker-Easter-Display-Paintingin-Grand-Court-Munkacsy

Easter Decorations

During Lent and Easter paintings of the Passion of Christ by the celebrated Hungarian painter Michael de Munkacsy were hung in the Grand Court.  These paintings had been sent on an international tour following their completion and thousands paid admission to see them. Leading newspapers and clergy were profuse in their praise of the characterizations. So precious were these paintings to John Wanamaker that he paid the highest price received by any living artist to date (estimates vary from $100,000 to .$175,000 each). Before 1908 they hung in his country home Lindenhurst. When that home burned to the ground in 1907, neighbors cut them from their frames and rescued them. After Mr. Wanamaker’s death the paintings were hung in the Grand Court annually and were displayed at the New York 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs, before being sold in 1988. Choirs and orchestras frequently played special programs of sacred music during this period.

 

Photo Album Historic Grand Court Displays

Related Posts

Wanamaker-Organ-Case-with-Giant-Candles-in-Color-Christmas

Christmas

Light Show Evolution—with Christmas Display Review

Lord-&-Taylor-Christmas-Light-Show

Christmas

The Holiday Light Show

Christmas Buttton

Christmas

More Store and Light Show Handy Tips

Friends of Wanamaker Organ

The Friends of the Wanamaker Organ, Inc.
630 Hidden Valley Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406-1712
(484) 684-7250
execdirec@wanamakerorgan.com

© Friends of Wanamaker Organ 2023