Gertrude Stein’s Art Collection: A Legacy of Modernism and Turmoil

Gertrude Stein, an American avant-garde writer and art collector, amassed an impressive collection of modern art during the early 20th century. Her collection included works by renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Georges Braque. After her death in 1946, her collection became the subject of much interest and speculation.

Bequeathment to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Notably, Stein bequeathed her collection to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, where many of the pieces were eventually exhibited. However, some works were sold at auction or transferred to private collectors. This dispersal of her collection has led to a varied current status for individual artworks, while her influence on the art world remains widely recognized.

Specific Pieces and Their Current Status

For those looking for more detailed information on specific pieces from her collection, the Baltimore Museum of Art has a comprehensive website where you can search for items related to Gertrude Stein. Many of her portraits are housed there, highlighting the importance of her contribution to art.

The Steins and Their Art Collecting

Gertrude Stein and her brothers, Leo and Michael Stein, were significant art collectors in Paris during the early 20th century. Their collections, especially those of Picasso and Matisse paintings, are particularly renowned. However, due to financial constraints, such as paying living expenses and the necessities of World War II, the Steins had to sell off parts of their collections.

The Impact of World War II on the Collection

During World War II, as Jewish Americans, Gertrude and her companion, Alice B. Toklas, retreated to a French farmhouse for relative safety. They took with them only two paintings: Picasso’s portrait of Gertrude and a Cézanne portrait. In a time of scarcity, both the Cézanne and other artworks were used as a means to sustain themselves. Gertrude famously said, "We are eating the Cézanne," illustrating the dire situation they faced.

Post-War Disputes and Dispersal

After Gertrude's death, Alice, in need of funds to support the publication of some of Gertrude's less accessible writings, sold some of the hidden artworks in Paris. In her later years, Alice became embroiled in a dispute with Roubina Stein, the widow of Allan, Stein’s nephew, and the co-beneficiary of her estate. Alice found that the art had been taken, which deeply affected her. She remarked, "The pictures are gone permanently," highlighting the emotional impact of losing her collection.

Leo Stein, another significant collector, despite selling most of his paintings to maintain his villa in Settignano and a place in Paris with his wife Nina, began to buy again in the 1920s and 1930s, focusing on a forgotten Czech artist named Othon Coubine who painted in an Impressionist style.

Exhibitions and Recognition

The legacy of the Steins and their collections continues to be recognized and celebrated. In 2011, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art organized an exhibition titled "The Steins Collect: Matisse Picasso and the Parisian Avant-Garde," which traveled to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This exhibition provided a comprehensive look into the influence of the Steins on the art world and the importance of their collections.

For those interested in learning more, the Metropolitan Museum of Art's website provides detailed information and resources about the exhibition.

Through the various stages of Gertrude Stein's life, her art collection reflects her dedication to modernism and her significant influence on the art world. Despite the challenges and changes over time, her legacy endures.