French Culture Minister Azoulay
Source: Rahma Sophia Rachdi
Francois Hollande, President of the French Republic, today received at the Elysée Palace, Marlene and Spencer Hays, in the presence of Audrey Azoulay, Minister of Culture and Communication. The American couple, art enthusiast, confirmed on that occasion the donation of their collection consists of about 600 works from the second half of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century. This exceptional donation by its size and consistency is more important than French museums have received from a foreign donor since 1945.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It will take place in several stages, the first, signed today covers 187 works, including 69 works Nabi. This first set matches the paintings presented for the first time in spring 2013 at the Orsay Museum as part of the exhibition "A French passion".
Among these works are the little girls walking (1891) of Edouard Vuillard or seventh panel Public Gardens. also included a Japanese folding screen, early work of Pierre Bonnard and Maurice Denis decorative panels of Spring and Autumn. Two masterful compositions of Odilon Redon, the red flower (around 1905), flowers and profile vase (circa 1905-1910) and the Taste in Pouldu (1900) by Maurice Denis and The Bathers (1896) Aristide Maillol round this set nabi and symbolist.
THE FRENCH ART OF THE EARKY TWENTIETH CENTURY IS ALOS REPRESENTED-------------------------------------
The French art of the early twentieth century is also represented: The Harlequin guitar André Derain, Red Netherlands (1912) by Albert Marquet, a portrait of Chaim Soutine (1917) by Amadeo Modigliani or bronze Aristide Maillol The Summer (1911). Begun in the 1970s, the collection includes American painting and paintings and drawings representing the Paris of the nineteenth century and the Belle Epoque (Anquetin, Beraud, Steinlen).-------------------------------------------------------------
From the 1980s, the Hays discovering the Nabis, they cultivate with passion including Guy Cogeval, president of the Musée d'Orsay and the Orangerie. They expanded their collection with works by Pierre Bonnard, Maurice Denis, Edouard Vuillar or Aristide Maillol. Audrey Azoulay, French Culture Minister pays tribute to these generous donors, who chose France as destination earth this exceptional heritage. Their gesture will greatly enrich the collections of the State. It confirms the role of France as a land where art is shown, watched, studied and valued. On the occasion of this meeting, the President of the Republic gave them the insignia of Commander of the Legion of Honor for their past life to the art of service and beautiful, now shared with many. Source: French Ministry of Culture
