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Exhibition

Gifts in Honor of the Museum’s 125th Anniversary

September 29–December 8, 2002

The history of the museum, like that of most public art museums in this country, is one of civic spirit and private philanthropy. The majority of the works of art in the museum’s collection were gifts from generous and public-minded individuals. This tradition is equally strong today. Thus, it is only fitting to celebrate the museum’s 125th anniversary with an exhibition devoted to a remarkable group of masterpieces acquired over the past few years. In addition to gifts of works of art, the roster of Anniversary acquisitions encompasses a number of exciting purchases, made possible by generous contributions of funds raised for the specific purpose of enhancing the museum’s collections.

Like the museum’s collection as a whole, the new gifts span centuries and continents, and include diverse artistic mediums. Unique objects include masterpieces of painting by Claude Monet, Andrew Wyet, and Jasper Johns, a dazzling Japanese scroll by Hon’ami Kōetsu, an iridescent glass column by Louis Comfort Tiffany, a royal stool from Côte d’Ivoire, an upholstered Philadelphia easy chair widely touted as one of the masterpieces of 18th-century cabinetry, and a brilliant marble bust of Benjamin Franklin, the finest contemporary portrait of this illustrious Philadelphian by the 18th century’s greatest portrait sculptor, Jean-Antoine Houdon. Several important works by African American artists such as Joshua Johnson, Bob Thompson, Alma Thomas, William H. Johnson, and Elizabeth Catlett are also featured. Photography, Indian miniatures, drawings, prints, decorative arts, contemporary art, and elegant clothing by contemporary designers all reflect the rich diversity indicative of the museum’s vitality.

Dorrance Special Exhibition Galleries, First Floor

Main Building

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Explore the Exhibition

This exhibition celebrates the outstanding works of art that have been acquired over the past five years in honor of the 125th Anniversary of this museum. Like the museum’s collections as a whole, these new acquisitions span centuries, continents, and a broad range of artistic intentions, styles and mediums. Taken together, they offer a rich sampling of the infinite variations on themes that have inspired artists since the beginning of time, such as the wonders of nature or the human figure in all its myriad forms. A selection from over four thousand works of art acquired by gift and purchase is presented in the exhibition.

The vast majority of works of art on view throughout the museum’s galleries have entered the collection as gifts over the past 125 years. This exhibition bears witness to the spectacular continuation of this tradition of generosity. For these new acquisitions, the museum is forever indebted to a remarkable group of public-spirited benefactors who have relinquished their treasures so that they could be preserved for and enjoyed by visitors now and far into the future. Some donors gave individual masterpieces, sometimes family heirlooms that have been passed down for generations; others gave entire collections of objects lovingly assembled during the course of their lifetimes; still others contributed much-needed funds so that the museum could purchase extraordinary works of art that would otherwise be far beyond its reach. Gifts of endowed purchase funds help to ensure that there will be funds for future purchases. To each and every generous donor go the heartfelt thanks of the museum on behalf of its public for generations to come.

Sponsors

Gifts in Honor of the Museum’s 125th Anniversary was made possible by Wilmington Trust and The Women’s Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Additional support was provided by Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhoads, LLP, the Robert Montgomery Scott Endowment for Exhibitions, and The Pew Charitable Trusts, with a donation from Sotheby’s. Generous contributions were given by Gisela and Dennis Alter, Marguerite and Gerry Lenfest, Maxine and Howard H. Lewis, Harvey S. Shipley Miller, and Martha J. McGeary Snider.

Curator

Alice Beamesderfer, Associate Director for Collections and Project Support

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