Stetson University Unveils Highest Valued Pieces of Prestigious Oscar Bluemner Collection
October 02 2024 - 4:00PM
Stetson University is proud to unveil a new exhibition in the Homer
and Dolly Hand Art Center, showcasing the highest valued paintings
in its Oscar Bluemner collection.
On view until Dec. 7, The Economics of Oscar Bluemner’s
Art, curated by Katya Kudryavtseva, features some of the most
valuable piece in Stetson's Vera Bluemner Kouba Collection,
including Sunset Effect on Rain (1929) with an insured value of
$1.1 million.
Vera Bluemner Kouba, the artist’s daughter, bequeathed more than
1,000 pieces of her father’s art collection to Stetson. A
German-born architect-turned-artist, Bluemner stands at the center
of American modernism and pieces from this collection have been on
loan to the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and other
major institutions.
The exhibition makes mention of Bluemner's Illusion of a
Prairie, New Jersey (Red Farm at Pochuck), which sold at Christie’s
in 2011 for $5.3 million, a record for his artwork. The sale marked
a significant moment in his posthumous recognition, propelling him
to prominence within the global art market and also increasing the
value of Stetson’s collection.
“This exhibit, showcasing the most expensive artworks in our
collection, serves as a testament to the artist’s enduring legacy
and the growing recognition of his contributions to American
modernism,” said Katya Kudryavtseva, PhD, associate professor of
art history and curator of the Vera Bluemner Kouba Collection.
“This exhibition provides a unique opportunity to explore
Bluemner's duality as an artist deeply committed to his craft and
as someone who was acutely aware of the commercial pressures that
could shape the perception and value of his art,” she added.
The exhibition sheds light on Bluemner's lifelong struggle to
maintain artistic integrity and navigate the demands of the art
market. The display includes his own statements that reveal his
deep suspicion of commercial influences on art, as well as his
attempts to increase the value of his works despite these
concerns.
“The Economics of Oscar Bluemner’s Art is an asset to all museum
guests, even those already familiar with Bluemner or the nuances of
the art market,” said Natália da Silva, PhD, director of Stetson’s
Hand Art Center. “It’s didactic, beautiful, and relevant. The
inclusion of contemporary works, like Leah Sandler’s Open
Outcry/Asleep (Vernal Moon), is indicative of Dr. Kudryavtseva's
innovative approach to the Vera Bluemner Kouba Collection and the
caliber she brings to the Hand.”
How to visit
The Homer and Dolly Hand Art Center is free and open to the
public on the Stetson University campus at 139 E. Michigan Ave.,
DeLand, FL 32723. Hours are Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., and Monday by appointment. The center
is closed on national and university holidays. Phone:
386-822-7270
The Economics of Oscar Bluemner’s Art is on view until Dec. 7. A
free curator’s talk is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 6
p.m.
About Stetson UniversityFounded in 1883, Stetson University is
the oldest private university in Central Florida. Stetson focuses
on intense learning experiences in a supportive community that
allows students to develop their voice in a connected, inclusive
environment. Stetson University ranks No. 7 on U.S. News &
World Report’s 2025 list of Best Regional Universities (South) and
has been recognized as one of The Princeton Review’s Best 390
Colleges in America for 2025.
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Cory Lancaster
Stetson University
386-822-7214
clancaster@stetson.edu