Whenever I see "from the private collection of....." in front of an art exhibit, I want to see that show. Having viewed private collections in museums in several different countries, I am always amazed that one family (or one person) was able to collect such a vast array of what we know as incredible art. The current exhibit at SFMOMA is one of the best. "The Steins Collect" shows a jaw-dropping amount of modern art from Gertrude Stein and her brother. Not only did they own an amazing number of artworks, they also owned some of the best. Picasso, Matisse, Renoir, Cezanne, the list goes on and on. The scope of this collection is surprising, you just keep walking from room to room, seeing more and more fantastic art.
The curators took photos of Stein and friends sitting in her house, surrounded by these paintings on the walls, blew the photos up to wall-size and hung these in the show as well. You can see, for example, a dozen art works on one wall of their dining room! Another room has another 20 pieces on its walls. Imagine living every day with paintings like these right in front of you, seeing them as you sip your morning coffee or glancing up at them as you tie your shoes before going out for groceries. These paintings were simply a part of their life, day in and day out, as were the artists themselves, coming to Stein's house for dinner or for conversation.
If you have the chance, try and see this exhibit. It runs into the first week of September and you unless you are a member of SFMOMA you will need to get tickets in advance. It is truly remarkable.
Above is Woman with a Hat by Matisse and below is The Girl with Green Eyes, also by Matisse.
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