The Metropolitan Museum of Art is once again in the news, this time for the impressive collection of cubist art it received in donation from collector Leonard Lauder, the oldest son of the founders of the Estée Lauder cosmetics company.
Mr. Lauder, 80, devoted 37 years to collecting cubist works of extraordinary importance for an understanding of this Twentieth Century artistic movement. The gifted collection comprises 33 works by Pablo Picasso, 17 by Georges Braque, 14 by Juan Gris, and 14 by Fernand Léger, for a total of 78 works valued at more than 1 billion dollars.
"This is an extraordinary gift for our museum and our city. Leonard's donation will truly transform the Metropolitan Museum," said museum director Thomas P. Campbell.
The museum will establish a new modern art research center, funded with 22 million dollars provided by museum managers and friends, including Lauder.
The collection will be on display for the first time in an exhibition programmed for the fall of 2014, and it will undoubtedly be a mandatory stop for all art lovers and connoisseurs.