Jacksonville – The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is using its 65th‑year celebration to showcase a wave of new acquisitions that underscore the museum’s careful collecting standards. The exhibition “The Cummer at 65: New Acquisitions” features two authentic Picasso linocut prints bequeathed by the late Jacksonville collector Dita Domonkos, alongside works by Gustave Caillebotte, Grandma Moses, Akira Kurosawa, and Filipinx‑American artist Maia Cruz Palileo.
Rigorous vetting prevents forgeries
Chief Curator Holly Keris, who joined the museum in 2003, recalled a past incident when a donor offered what appeared to be an original Picasso. “As soon as we opened it, we were like, ‘This is wrong,’” she said, noting that the work was later identified as a forgery by Mark A. Landis. The museum’s strict acquisition policy, which requires in‑person examination of gifts, purchases, and bequests, ensured the fake never entered the permanent collection.
Authentic Picasso prints join the permanent collection
The two newly acquired Picasso prints, both linocut works from the artist’s mid‑century period, were secured through a bequest from Domonkos. While they will not be on permanent view immediately—best practices call for a three‑month rotation for works on paper—they will eventually enrich the museum’s European holdings.
Diverse additions reflect a broad collecting vision
Beyond the Picassos, the museum added paintings by French Impressionist Gustave Caillebotte and American folk artist Grandma Moses, hand‑painted storyboards by Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, and a large‑scale oil by Maia Cruz Palileo titled “It Was Said They Could See Each Other’s Memories II.” The Palileo piece, originally shown in the artist’s 2023 solo show, was purchased with funds from the Morton R. Hirschberg Bequest and the Miranda Childless Foundation.
Other notable acquisitions include a ceramic sculpture “Translated Vase” by Korean artist Yeesookyung, works by Amanda Crowe, George Inness, and James McNeil Whistler, and a new addition to the museum’s porcelain collection, a piece from the Wark Collection of Meissen porcelain.
Funding and strategic planning
The museum relies on a dedicated acquisitions fund, replenished annually through fundraisers and donor contributions. This financial flexibility allows the Cummer to pursue both historic masterpieces and contemporary works that align with its “collecting priorities” strategic plan.
Since its founding by Ninah Cummer, the museum’s collection has grown from roughly 60 objects to more than 5,000, spanning American, European, Asian, and contemporary art. Keris emphasized that the lack of a strict collecting mandate has enabled the institution to remain opportunistic and responsive to quality gifts and purchases.
Visitors can view many of the new pieces in the current exhibition, which runs through the museum’s 65th‑anniversary season, offering Jacksonville residents a chance to experience a richer, more varied art experience.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
