Munson-Williams Museum of Art receives important bequest from Estate of James H. Duffy
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Saturday, October 5, 2024


Munson-Williams Museum of Art receives important bequest from Estate of James H. Duffy
Howard Hodgkin, British (1932-2017), After Morandi, 1989-94. Oil on wood, 21 x 27 in. Bequest of James H. Duffy, 2019.11.15.



UTICA, NY.- Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute Museum of Art has received one of the largest bequests in its 101-year history, 72 paintings, works on paper, and sculptures from the estate of James H. Duffy (1934-2019).

Duffy was a resident of New York City from the late 1950s, but he was originally from Lowville, NY, 55 miles north of Utica. In July 2000, he sent a letter to (then) Munson-Williams Museum of Art Director Dr. Paul D. Schweizer stating, “One consideration I have had in mind is doing something for the area where I grew up. One thought was to donate my art collection to a regional institution.”

Munson-Williams President and CEO Anna D’Ambrosio commented, “Mr. Duffy's gift to the Museum of Art is transformational. He is an example of a selfless collector who saw the importance of giving back to his region. He valued the work of Munson-Williams and his generosity will benefit our community for generations.”

Duffy’s collection was eclectic and personal. He acquired works through auction and gallery purchases. Along the way, he developed friendships with painters such as Mark Innerst (born 1957), Katia Santibañez (born 1964), and James Siena (born 1957). “Mr. Duffy acquired works of art that he wanted to live with, every day, paintings and works on paper and small sculptures that were personally meaningful," said Mary Murray, Munson-Williams Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art.




This bequest is significant both in scale and in content. “There are important artists represented in this collection,” Murray said. The bequest has many works by artists already represented in the Munson-Williams collection, thereby adding depth to its holdings. Included are works on paper by Georges Braque (1882-1963), Alexander Calder (1898-1976), Helen Frankenthaler (1928 –2011), Alex Katz (born 1927), Malcolm Morley (1931-2018), Louise Nevelson (1899 –1988), and Pablo Picasso (1881-1973). Notably welcome additions to the collection are paintings by Jennifer Bartlett (born 1941), Jane Freilicher (1924-2014), and Howard Hodgkin (1932 –2017), artists for whom the Museum had previously held only intaglios and lithographs.

Of particular interest in the Duffy bequest are works by artists not previously represented in the Museum of Art collection, including Bryan Hunt (born 1947) and sculptor Dame Barbara Hepworth (1903-75). Also notable are drawings by Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-88) and Keith Haring (1959-90), whose meteoric rise as graffiti artists infused the 1980s with unbridled exuberance for life and art making.

Included also are drawings by Charles Addams (1912-88), Edward Koren (born 1935), and Charles Saxon (1920-88), all great illustrators for “New Yorker” magazine. These perfectly complement similar drawings by William Steig (1907-2003) and Saul Steinberg (1914-99) donated to the Museum in 1957 with the landmark Edward W. Root Bequest.

Duffy was educated at Princeton University and Harvard Law. From Harvard, he joined the New York City firm Cravath, Swaine, and Moore, becoming partner in 1968. Duffy was a Life Trustee of the New York Public Library, and his other memberships included the Council on Foreign Relations and the Boards of the Alliance for the Arts, Baryshnikov Arts Center, Commonweal Foundation and School of American Ballet. He also served on Mayor Edward Koch’s Advisory Committee for Cultural Affairs.

Murray said that there are currently plans to incorporate many of the works in future Munson-Williams exhibitions, and possibly a comprehensive exhibition honoring the gift.










Today's News

June 30, 2020

Francis Bacon triptych sells for $84.6 million at Sotheby's digitally streamed live auction

As museums get on TikTok, the Uffizi is an unlikely class clown

Iconic '2001: A Space Odyssey' suit to hit auction block

Nigeria fails to halt Paris sale of 'stolen' treasures

Defenders of Roosevelt statue converge on Natural History Museum

Cirque du Soleil files for bankruptcy protection

Christie's to offer Pablo Picasso's 'Baigneuses, Sirènes, Femme Nue et Minotaure'

Bonhams Australia offers exceptional Aboriginal works consigned from Spain

Hindman's Fine Books and Manuscripts auction achieves strong sell through rates

Munson-Williams Museum of Art receives important bequest from Estate of James H. Duffy

IMMA reopens today with The People's Pavilion, Social Distancing Circles, outdoor activities and a pop-up café

Gray appoints Laura Lester as Director in New York

New York's Broadway closed until at least January

Excellent results for the first live auctions at Koller since the lockdown

Winnipeg Art Gallery Inuit Art Centre Visible Vault goes digital thanks to Canada Council

Sir Michael Craig-Martin creates new work for Oxford Street

Rare Posters Auction #81 features 500 rare and iconic works

Tree of Life: Nailya Alexander Gallery opens a group exhibition

Norman Whiteside to sell FA Cup winner's medals and huge collection of memorabilia at auction

Christie's announces online-only sale "Dialogues: Modern & Contemporary Art"

Special two-part online exhibition presents the paintings of Camille Henrot

Linda Cristal, who starred in 'High Chaparral,' dies at 89

Charles Webb, elusive author of 'The Graduate,' dies at 81

Explore the features of some exclusive forms of gambling




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Attorneys
Truck Accident Attorneys
Accident Attorneys
Holistic Dentist
Abogado de accidentes

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site Parroquia Natividad del Señor
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful