The Eye of the Collector, the Wishes of the Donor, the Spirit of the Philanthropist: Modern European Paintings at SDMA

In honor of the Museum's 80th anniversary, a new display of SDMA's modern European paintings (19th to early 20th century) groups works according to their donor. Each gift has bestowed the Museum with the spirit of their donor, with their individual interests and tastes, and has left an indelible mark in the galleries.

The European collection benefited immensely from a core group of ten patrons who together added over 350 works to the collection. The quality of their gifts is exemplified by such visitor favorites as William Bouguereau's Young Shepherdess, given by Mr. and Mrs. Edwin S. Larsen in 1968, and Joaquín Sorolla's María at La Granja, from Mr. and Mrs. Archer M. Huntington, the very first object to enter the collection in 1925.

Two of the largest donations came from Earle Grant, whose discerning eye and admirable connoisseurship helped him build a collection of more than 100 works, and Mr. and Mrs. Norton Walbridge, who in a dazzling display of sustained commitment to the Museum, donated nearly 100 works over five decades. Finally, Martha Daura brings different philanthropic motivation; in an attempt to deepen the knowledge and appreciation of her father, Spanish artist Pierre Daura, she donated fourteen works in 2001.

Back to Top