DuPont plans to donate art by Frank Schoonover, Edward Loper and three generations of the Wyeth family to the Delaware Art Museum, the Hagley Museum & Library and the Brandywine River Museum. Additional works will be sold for the benefit of United Way of Delaware.
DuPont began to collect art for the Hotel du Pont in the 1940s. Among the works donated to the museums are: N.C. Wyeth’s Island Funeral, Andrew Wyeth’s The Big Chimney, and Jamie Wyeth’s White House. The museums collaboratively selected paintings relevant to their collections.
“DuPont is pleased to make this significant gift to the Wilmington community,” said Richard C. Olson, senior vice president, DuPont Corporate Services. “These outstanding museums will ensure the care and conservation of important works from our collection so that the public can enjoy them for generations to come.”
The gift to the Delaware Art Museum includes a major illustration by N. C. Wyeth and watercolors by Andrew Wyeth.
“The work of the Wyeth family of artists is an important part of the collection of American art we present, and we are delighted with this gift,” said Thomas Padon, director of the Brandywine River Museum of Art.
DuPont will donate approximately 400 pieces of art to United Way of Delaware for a sale — oil paintings, watercolors, and prints that were previously displayed at DuPont sites.
“We’re thrilled and humbled that DuPont is sharing some of its art collection with United Way of Delaware, and we’re excited to be offering these works for sale,” said United Way of Delaware President and Chief Executive Officer Michelle Taylor. “This gesture will keep the artwork in the community and generate funds that will change the trajectory for children and others in Delaware.”
