Apparently Marguerite Hoffman took a “dynamic” view toward her gift to the Dallas Art Museum. Which means that she sold some art when she needed money and bought more when she didn’t, at least that’s what her testimony in court suggests from this excerpt in the Dallas Morning News:
During her testimony, she deemed the gift “irrevocable,” explaining that the donors would not change their minds and renege on the bequest. But when it came to individual pieces of art, such as the Rothko, she described the nature of the bequest as “dynamic.”
The bequest “could look like something different five years from now,” she said. “It could look like something different five years ago. Whatever on the day I die is in my possession, in my collection, that’s what the bequest is. So it’s not attached to certain works of art.”
Hoffman said that she had spent “well over $60 million” in buying art for her collection since the sale of the Rothko. In March, Hoffman donated $17 million more to the DMA.
“I have spent essentially all the money that I have that’s discretionary,” she testified. “I put it into the art collection. That’s my passion, and that’s something I care about.”
Art Notes: Marguerite Hoffman testimony offers insight into world of fine art (Dallas Morning News)
