Collection
Myron Kunin Collection of American Art
Myron Kunin Collection of American Art is a collection in Minneapolis, United States.
About Myron Kunin Collection of American Art
Overview & Identity
The Myron Kunin Collection of American Art is a premier private assemblage of 20th-century American modernism, currently held on long-term loan by the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA). Founded by Myron Kunin (1928–2013), a Minneapolis businessman and philanthropist, the collection represents one of the most significant private holdings of American art from the first half of the 20th century. Spanning four decades of acquisition, the collection is distinguished by its focus on American Modernists and Realists, featuring works that Kunin described as having "some kick" and the ability to emotionally engage the viewer. The collection serves as a microcosm of American art history, integrating innovative modernists with celebrated realists to tell a thorough and engaging story of the nation's artistic development.
History & Founding
Myron Kunin began his collecting journey in 1977 with the purchase of George Luks' "Lady at the Theater," an event his widow Anita Kunin cited as the true beginning of his passion. Over the next forty years, Kunin, who founded the Regis Corporation after purchasing his father's barbershops in 1958, assembled the collection with a philosophy of seeking art that was an "extension of the Renaissance" yet possessed a modern edge. Kunin served on the MIA board for 35 years, including a tenure as Chair from 1991 to 1998, and was a Life Trustee since 1988. Following his death in October 2013, the Kunin family granted the collection to the MIA on a long-term loan to coincide with the museum's centennial year, launching a special exhibition on January 1, 2015, to share these works with the public.
Collection Highlights & Notable Holdings
The collection comprises more than 550 works, including 396 paintings, 64 prints and drawings, 21 sculptures, and 77 photographs. Key holdings include signature works by major American figures such as Marsden Hartley's "Prayer on Park Avenue" (1942), Winslow Homer's "Cape Trinity, Saguenay River, Moonlight" (1904–09), and Robert Henri's "The Sunday Shawl, Edna Smith" (1915). The assemblage also features significant pieces by Stuart Davis, Reginald Marsh, Walt Kuhn, Paul Cadmus, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Andrew Wyeth. Notable works that have rarely been seen on public view include Philip Evergood's "Madonna of the Mines" (1932) and various depictions of nudes, circus talent, social themes, and landscapes that reflect the diverse styles of the era.
Significance & Scope
The Myron Kunin Collection is recognized as one of the foremost collections of American modern art in private hands, with an estimated value exceeding $300 million if auctioned, though the family has chosen to keep it on loan to the public. Kunin's collecting strategy was unique in its blend of traditional reverence for Old Masters with a desire for contemporary emotional impact, resulting in a collection that bridges the gap between academic tradition and modern innovation. The collection's donation and loan have significantly deepened the MIA's galleries, allowing the museum to present a comprehensive narrative of American art from the 1920s through the 1950s. Kunin's personal gifts to the museum prior to the loan also included 230 other works, African and Native American textiles, and the Frankfurt Kitchen, underscoring his lifelong commitment to the institution.