Few people have had more of an impact on New York City than John Pierpont Morgan. While he is best known for his prowess as a banker and financier, Morgan also had an eye for fine art and literature, amassing a sizable personal collection over his lifetime. Morgan died in 1913, but his son Jack turned the private collection into a public institution in 1924, and today, visitors to New York can browse through J.P. Morgan's many priceless works at the Morgan Library and Museum. With everything from original Gutenberg Bibles and manuscripts by Sir Walter Scott to paintings by Cezanne, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh, the Morgan rivals the Metropolitan Museum itself in breadth and quality. In addition to the permanent collection, the Morgan Library also hosts temporary exhibitions, including a collection of recently acquired drawings from the private holdings of collector Eugene V. Thaw. The Thaw Collection of Master Drawings, which runs through May 3, 2009, features masterpieces such as Figure of a Woman (Camille), 1865, by Claude Monet and a major work by Jackson Pollock as well. That the crowds at the Morgan are generally thinner than at other Manhattan museums makes it that much easier to relax and enjoy the artwork. Starwood has properties throughout New York, including the nearby W New York - The Court.

[image via nypl.org]