Philanthropists and wealthy patrons have always played a major role in the life of the art world. With their financial assistance, artists of the past could work without worrying about money and produce the famed masterpieces we all know and love. They were also among the first ones to donate their private collections to newly established museums. Today, rich art connoisseurs continue to give art institutions their patronage and resources. A truly impressive example of such generosity recently happened in the US. Two art collectors, Bernard A. and Barbro Osher, kindly donated 61 works of 19th- and 20th-century art to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco received a generous donation from two local philanthropists in the form of 61 works of 19th- and 20th-century fine art from their private collection. Among them are 50 paintings, 9 works on paper, and 2 sculptures. In total, a selection of pieces by 39 famous artists has been added to the collection of the institution. The de Young, which is a part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, is now preparing an exhibition of the gifted artworks. While the show is in the works, let’s look at some of the amazing pieces that will soon be revealed to the public.
The renowned modern American artist Georgia O’Keeffe became famous in the 1920s for her radical depictions of flowers and paintings of skyscrapers. Front of Ranchos Church was inspired by the architecture O’Keeffe saw during her residence in the Southwest. This work is part of the series dedicated to the Catholic church in Taos, New Mexico.
This piece by the pioneer of American realist art Winslow Homer depicts a simple scene of a man fishing in the Adirondack Mountains. The Angler (Casting in the Falls) is a perfect example of Homer’s signature style.
Kinetic sculptures by Alexander Calder received the name “mobiles” from the French conceptual artist Marcel Duchamp. Indeed, their distinguishing feature is the way they move. Calder was one of the first artists to start making non-static sculptures.
The exhibition is expected to be revealed in the summer of 2024. For now, we can only wait and be thankful that these works of art will soon be available to enjoy at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
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