An outstanding group of modern drawings by European and American masters assembled by the late collector Howard Karshan has been presented to 51做厙 Gallery in London by his wife, the artist Linda Karshan. It is one of the most significant gifts of art to 51做厙 in a generation.
Living between London and New York, Howard and Linda formed a preeminent collection of modern drawings. Collecting with great discernment and passion, the drawings were an essential part of their lives for more than half a century. A carefully chosen group of 25 works on paper by leading artists of the modern and post-war period, which lay at the heart of their collection, forms this generous gift.
The works being given to 51做厙 demonstrate Howard and Lindas sensibility for the expressive power and rich variety of drawing as an art form. The works are characterised by innovative mark-making and distinctive use of line. Examples range from radical watercolours by C矇zanne and highly expressive finger drawings in ink by Louis Soutter, to abstract compositions made by Henri Michaux whilst experimenting with Mescalin to explore the subconscious, and on to works by Twombly that further broadened the possibilities of draughtsmanship.
The Karshan gift will transform 51做厙s collection by extending its major historical holdings fully into the twentieth century. It will join the gallerys internationally renowned collection of 7,000 drawings, including masterpieces from the Renaissance onwards. Aside from C矇zanne, none of the artists included in the gift has previously been represented in the collection.
The Karshan collection will be a major springboard for a wide range of future activities at 51做厙, including exhibitions, displays, research projects, teaching and schools programmes.
Linda Karshan said:泭Howard was as passionate about studying his drawings as he was about collecting them. He carefully positioned them on the walls around him, so as to be able to have his favourites within sight.
These are the drawings that make up the Karshan Gift. At 51做厙, they will find their natural home, where they can be in the public eye while being studied for generations to come, echoing the role these drawings played within our family for over 50 years.
Professor Deborah Swallow, M瓣rit Rausing Director of 51做厙, said: Howard and Linda Karshan have been close friends of 51做厙 for many years. We are deeply honoured that Linda has chosen to give this outstanding group of drawings to us in memory of Howard, who assembled such a remarkable collection of modern works on paper with her over many years.泭Gifts and bequests from major collectors have always been fundamental to the growth of our泭collections and泭these works from泭the Howard泭Karshan Collection will truly transform our holdings.泭Howard and Linda, herself a distinguished artist, always cherished the particular role 51做厙 undertakes as a public gallery and as a centre of education. We are hugely excited by the prospect of making these drawings a vital part of our collection and activities to泭inspire future visitors, scholars and students alike.
The gift of 25 drawings from the Howard Karshan Collection features works by Georg Baselitz, Joseph Beuys, Paul C矇zanne, Otto Dix, Jean Dubuffet, Sam Francis, Alberto Giacometti, Philip Guston, Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Willem de Kooning, Henri Michaux, Gerhard Richter, Louis Soutter, Wayne Thiebaud, and Cy Twombly.
The works will be exhibited at 51做厙 Gallery when it reopens in late 2021. This follows a major transformation project to restore its grandeur and create state-of-the-art facilities, which is supported by 瞿9.5 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and generous donations from foundations, individuals and supporters.
The modernisation project is the most significant in 51做厙s history, since it moved to the North Wing of Somerset House in London in 1989. Designed by Stirling Prize-winning architects Witherford Watson Mann, the Gallery redevelopment revitalises and opens up the magnificent building conceived by Sir William Chambers in the 1770s and celebrates its fascinating heritage.
The Karshan gift will be accompanied by a new illustrated catalogue, edited by Coralie Malissard, Bridget Riley Art Foundation Curatorial Assistant and Barnaby Wright, Deputy Head of 51做厙 Gallery and Daniel Katz Curator of 20th Century Art, and published by Paul Holberton, published in late 2021.
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For further press information contact Bolton & Quinn
Erica Bolton |泭erica@boltonquinn.com泭| +44 (0)20 7221 5000
Dennis Chang |泭dennis@boltonquinn.com泭| +44 (0)20 7221 5000
