A Begrudging Art Patron
As a disclaimer: These photos were taken during a visit in February/March 2016, so this post may not be representative of this site today.
Museum of Modern Art
Better known as the MoMA, the Museum of Modern art is one of the largest and most influential museums of its kind in the world. It was first ideated in 1929 by Abby Aldrich Rockefeller (who was married to John D. Rockefeller, Jr.) with two others, Lillie P. Bliss and Mary Quinn Sullivan.
It officially opened on November 7th of 1929, just days after the Wall Street Crash. While at the time its collection was rather small (eight prints and one drawing), it quickly expanded under the guidance of Alfred H. Barr, Jr., its first director, and in its first month, the museum held an exhibition displaying works by Van Gogh, Cézanne, and Seurat.
The museum was first housed on the twelfth floor of the Heckscher Building (today known as the Crown Building). Though Abby Rockefeller’s husband at first opposed the idea of creating a museum dedicated to modern art, he eventually donated the land upon which its present structure was built, and gradually became one of its greatest benefactors.
Its permanent home, designed in the International Style by Philip L. Goodwin and Edward Durell Stone, opened on May 10, 1939 (83 years ago today!). Its opening was attended to by 6,000 people, with a radio address by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Its collection contains works of modern and contemporary art, including architecture, drawing, design, painting, photography, prints, artists books, and more. Its library includes approximately 300,000 books, more than 1,000 periodical titles, and more than 40,000 of ephemera about artists and art groups.
Gold Colored Fox 