Collection
Samuel H. Kress Collection of the National Gallery of Art
Samuel H. Kress Collection of the National Gallery of Art is a collection in Washington, D.C., United States.
About Samuel H. Kress Collection of the National Gallery of Art
Overview & Identity
The Samuel H. Kress Collection at the National Gallery of Art constitutes one of the most significant assemblages of European art in the United States. It comprises masterpieces donated by Samuel H. Kress and the foundation he established in 1929. The collection spans European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from the Middle Ages through the 19th century. The National Gallery of Art holds the largest portion of these gifts among the 90 institutions that received them, serving as the primary repository for Kress's vision of making high-quality art accessible to the public across the nation.
History & Founding
Samuel H. Kress, a founder and president of the eponymous S. H. Kress & Co. department store chain, was an avid art lover who acquired works through dealers. He established the Samuel H. Kress Foundation in 1929 to manage his art collection and charitable giving. On March 17, 1941, Kress and the foundation began the process of donating their holdings. While Kress intended to distribute works to museums in 33 states, the National Gallery of Art received the greatest number of these gifts. Kress died on September 22, 1955, leaving a legacy of philanthropy that has dispensed millions of dollars to institutions since.
Building & Architecture
The Kress Collection is primarily housed in the West Building of the National Gallery of Art, which opened in 1941. The West Building, designed in a neoclassical style, was constructed on land donated by Andrew Mellon and funded through the A. W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust. The building's galleries were specifically designed to display European paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages to the early 19th century, providing an appropriate architectural setting for the Kress holdings. The museum complex also includes the East Building, designed by I.M. Pei and completed in 1978, which houses modern art and special exhibitions, though the core Kress collection remains in the West Building.
Collection Highlights & Notable Holdings
The collection includes over 1,800 works of art, with the National Gallery of Art holding the majority. Highlights include significant European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. Specific notable works include items such as a maiolica plate painted and lustered in the workshop of Maestro Giorgio Andreoli of Gubbio, which entered the collection via the Widener gift in 1942. The collection is particularly strong in Italian Renaissance art, reflecting Kress's personal interest in the period. The holdings document a wide range of artistic production, from major masterpieces to decorative objects, providing a comprehensive view of European art history.
Significance & Legacy
The Kress Collection is of immense significance to art history and public education. Beyond the physical objects, the 'Kress Collection of Historic Images' project has digitized more than 18,300 scans of paintings, drawings, sculptures, and decorative arts. These images, purchased or considered for purchase by Kress and his foundation, document works in various states of conservation and include x-ray, infrared, and ultraviolet images. This digital archive allows art historians, conservators, and students to study the 'life' of works of art, track changes over time, and assist in attribution questions, making the collection accessible to researchers worldwide.