Page 47 - ART GIANTS issue of World of Art (WOA) Contemporary Art Magazine

MoMA officially opened on November 7, 1929—just days
after the stock market crash, occupying rented office space
at 730 Fifth Avenue. Its inaugural exhibition, Cézanne,
Gauguin, Seurat, van Gogh, drew an unexpected surge of
visitors. Bliss, though a significant lender to the exhibition,
chose to remain anonymous. She and her fellow founders
successfully advocated for a launch focused on pioneering
French modernists, overcoming opposition from male
colleagues who favored American artists. The overwhelming
public enthusiasm validated their vision and cemented
MoMA’s place as a leading institution for modern art.

The exhibition is supported by the Annual Exhibition Fund,
with leadership contributions from Jerry I. Speyer and
Katherine G. Farley, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, the
Sandra and Tony Tamer Exhibition Fund, the Kate W. Cassidy

Amedeo Modigliani. Anna Zborowska. 1917. Oil on canvas. 51 1/4 x 32″ (130.2
x 81.3 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Lillie P. Bliss Collection,
1934. Photo: John Wronn

Georges-Pierre Seurat. Port-en-Bessin, Entrance to the Harbor. 1888. Oil on
canvas. 21 5/8 x 25 5/8! (54.9 x 65.1 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New
York. Lillie P. Bliss Collection, 1934.

Odilon Redon. Silence. c. 1911. Oil on prepared paper. 21 1/2 x 21 1/4" (54.6 x
54 cm) The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Lillie P. Bliss Collection, 1934.

Foundation, Alice and Tom Tisch, the Marella and Giovanni
Agnelli Fund for Exhibitions, The Contemporary Arts Council
of The Museum of Modern Art, Eva and Glenn Dubin,
Mimi Haas, The David Rockefeller Council, Anne and Joel
Ehrenkranz, Kenneth C. Griffin, The International Council
of The Museum of Modern Art, Marie-Josée and Henry R.
Kravis, and Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder. Major funding is
provided by The Sundheim Family Foundation.
The Bloomberg Connects digital experience is made
possible through the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies.

WORLD of ART 47