AMSTERDAM.- To commemorate the tenure of Ann Goldstein as Director of the Stedelijk Museum, collectors Pieter and Marieke Sanders are making a major donation to the museum of 127 works by 92 artists. The gift includes works by Yael Bartana, Marinus Boezem, Hans Broek, Persijn Broersen/Margit Lukacs, Edward Burtynsky, Jan De Cock, Jeremiah Day, Ger van Elk, Alicia Framis, Ryan Gander, Babs Haenen, Jitka Hanzlova, Roni Horn, Loes van der Horst, David Jablonowski, Folkert de Jong, Job Koelewijn, Maartje Korstanje, Anouk Kruithof, Gabriel Lester, Hellen van Meene, Pieter Laurens Mol, Fatmi Mounir, Navid Nuur, Charlotte Schleiffert, Saskia Olde Wolbers, Paulien Oltheten, Ronald Ophuis, Barbara Visser, and Marijke van Warmerdam, among others.

For over forty years, the Sanders have avidly collected the work of young and emerging Dutch and international artists, many of whom have become today’s leading figures. The donated works contribute significantly to the Stedelijk’s holdings, both building upon the representation of the work of artists already present in the museum’s collection, and in many cases, also adding the first work by an artist. For example, an early painting by Amsterdam-based artist Jan Andriesse is an excellent complement to works on paper that are already in the collection. A photograph and sculpture by British artist Ryan Gander are auspicious additions to the Stedelijk’s burgeoning collection of his oeuvre. The donation also marks the entrance of an artist into the collection, as is the case of such artists as Lara Almarcegui, Sema Bekirovic, and Steven Waddell. The donation encompasses a highly diverse range of media, from painting and sculpture to photography, video art and works on paper.

Pieter and Marieke Sanders comment on their initiative: “We felt that the reopening of the Stedelijk should be marked by a gift. This prompted us to make a selection of work from our collection and donate them to the Museum, so that these artworks can be visible again outside the walls of our home. Because art needs to be seen.”

Ann Goldstein, Director of the Stedelijk Museum said of the gift, “I am deeply grateful and personally touched that Pieter and Marieke have honored the Stedelijk by reaching out to us with this incredible gesture – a true tribute to their indefatigable enthusiasm for art and commitment to generously supporting our institutions. This is an exceptional gift, and their example is nothing less than extraordinary.”

The Stedelijk Museum will organize an exhibition of selections from the Pieter and Marieke Sanders gift in 2015.