Abby Aldrich Rockefeller was a pioneering figure in the world of art and philanthropy. She played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural landscape of the United States during the early 20th century. Rockefeller developed a keen interest in supporting contemporary artists. Among her greatest legacies is The Museum of Modern Art, which she cofounded with two other women—Lillie P. Bliss and Mary Quinn Sullivan—in 1929. The institution stands today in New York City on property formerly owned by the Rockefeller family. Over the course of two decades, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller donated thousands of art objects to the Museum. This sale includes a number of paintings, sculptures, and works on paper originally gifted by Rockefeller featuring subjects ranging from landscapes and city scenes to portraits and interiors.

A Life’s Passion

Writer, critic, and curator Lincoln Kirstein and philanthropist Edward M. M. Warburg both made important contributions to cultural organizations in early to mid-20th century New York. Together with George Balanchine, Kirstein with Warburg’s support founded the School of American Ballet in 1934—a precursor to the New York City Ballet. Their critical roles in elevating dance and modern art extended to their involvement at The Museum of Modern Art where Kirstein influenced the institution’s collecting, exhibition, and publication history; and Warburg served as a Trustee and benefactor of its Film Library. Kirstein and Warburg respectively gave the Museum a total of five works included in this sale.

Lincoln Kirstein and Edward M. M. Warburg

Champions of the Arts in New York

The Museum of Modern Art’s collection reflects a long-standing tradition of gift-giving by women donors. Nearly a third of the works on offer in this sale were gifted to MoMA by patrons including Louise Reinhardt Smith, Dorothy Williams Garrett, Mina Turner, and June Noble Larkin, among others. The Museum has developed its holdings thanks in part to their generosity.

Generosity and Purpose

A. Conger Goodyear was born to a socially prominent family in Buffalo, New York and was elected to the Board of the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy in 1912. In 1929, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller appointed him the first President of The Museum of Modern Art—a position that Goodyear held until 1939 when he was succeeded by Nelson A. Rockefeller. He continued serving on the Museum’s Acquisitions Committee until the 1950s and remained a Trustee until his death in 1964. Goodyear gifted four works in this sale to MoMA, among hundreds of other objects in its holdings.

Stewardship and Service

The proceeds from this sale will benefit The Museum of Modern Art’s future acquisitions. This auction thus offers an opportunity for present-day collectors to help support the development of the Museum’s collection—continuing the legacy of the institution’s earliest patrons. The works of art on offer range widely in price from $100 to the low six figures.

Extending the Legacy of Early MoMA Donors

Impact of Present-Day Collectors

With examples by renowned artists as well as lesser-known practitioners, the objects in this sale represent moments in time when each caught the attention of a collector or curator in the early to mid-20th century. This auction showcases unexpected and varied examples of modern art, revealing the Museum’s eclecticism in its early years.

Modern Moments in Time

New York

Sotheby’s is delighted to present Selections from The Museum of Modern Art: c. 1890–1960, an online auction offering approximately 90 works from MoMA’s holdings that are being sold to benefit future acquisitions. Comprising paintings, sculptures, drawings, and prints made in the Americas and Europe between c. 1890 and 1960, these objects largely reflect the history of New York collecting and philanthropy in the early to mid-20th century. This auction showcases unexpected and varied examples of modern art, revealing the Museum's&nbsp;eclecticism&nbsp;in its early years. Works range widely from those by renowned artists such as Gaston Lachaise, André Derain, and Auguste Rodin to those by lesser known practitioners who were popular during their eras such as Alfred Manessier, Oskar Moll, and Alfred Wickenburg. Many of these objects were donated by prominent patrons who helped define the Museum’s mission and incipient collection such as Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, A. Conger Goodyear, Lincoln Kirstein, and Edward M. M. Warburg. Extending the legacy of these donors—and the impact of the generosity of such supporters—the funds from this sale will continue to benefit the development of MoMA’s collection. Sale Number: N11374

Associate Cataloguer, Impressionist & Modern Art

Lucile Turnipseed

Associate Cataloguer, Contemporary & Modern Discoveries

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Sotheby’s is delighted to present Selections from The Museum of Modern Art: c. 1890–1960, an online auction offering approximately 90 works from MoMA’s holdings that are being sold to benefit future acquisitions.

Selections from The Museum of Modern Art: c. 1890-1960