Scarlet Cheng tells the story of the San Francisco Museum of Art in the Los Angeles Times which is celebrating its 75th Anniversary. Much of the museum, including having Modern in the name, is the product of Grace McCann Morley, its director for decades. But Modern becomes Contemporary and the Fisher collection brings the museum forward in a dramatic way:
In the early 1970s collectors Harry W. and Mary Margaret Anderson gave three important works by Robert Rauschenberg, Clyfford Still and Jasper Johns. They followed that up in 1992 with seven major Pop art works. When the museum moved into the new building in 1995, some questioned whether the collection was up to par with it. Almost as in response, art patron Phyllis Wattis helped the museum acquire key works by Magritte, Mondrian, Andy Warhol, Eva Hesse and Wayne Thiebaud.
Perhaps the most exciting part of the anniversary celebration isn’t even up yet: the exhibition of the Fisher Collection, considered one of the world’s top private collections of contemporary art. Under a special agreement, “Calder to Warhol: Introducing the Fisher Collection” will show about 160 works. The collection comprises more than 1,100 works, notable for its depth in such major 20th century artists as Alexander Calder, Chuck Close, Anselm Kiefer, Roy Lichtenstein, Agnes Martin and Richard Serra.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Turns 75 with a Splash (Los Angeles Times)
