The Steins Collect: Matisse, Picasso, and the Parisian Avant-Garde at the Met

• PHOTOS

This spring, the Metropolitan Museum of Art along with the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco and the Grand Palais in Paris, celebrates the life and collections of one of the most famous and influential American ex-pat families in Paris during the Lost Generation: the Steins. Our 2 hour special very small group walk, led by a modern art historian, will trace the history of this incredible collection of modern art, as well as give valuable insight into Paris at the time and the family’s interesting story.

Moving from America to Paris in the early twentieth century, the Steins were major patrons of the emerging leaders of the modern art movement, being among some of the first to purchase pieces from Matisse and Picasso. Over the years, they built their private, family acquisitions into one of the most amazing collections of modern art, influencing the standards of taste in modern art ad furthering the importance of patronage for artists.

Our docent will reveal their amazing story as

This spring, the Metropolitan Museum of Art along with the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco and the Grand Palais in Paris, celebrates the life and collections of one of the most famous and influential American ex-pat families in Paris during the Lost Generation: the Steins. Our 2 hour special very small group walk, led by a modern art historian, will trace the history of this incredible collection of modern art, as well as give valuable insight into Paris at the time and the family’s interesting story.

Moving from America to Paris in the early twentieth century, the Steins were major patrons of the emerging leaders of the modern art movement, being among some of the first to purchase pieces from Matisse and Picasso. Over the years, they built their private, family acquisitions into one of the most amazing collections of modern art, influencing the standards of taste in modern art ad furthering the importance of patronage for artists.

Our docent will reveal their amazing story as told throughout the exhibit, an exceptional compilation of works from Renoir, Cezanne, Picasso, Matisse, Manguin, Bonnard, Gris, Masson, Picabia and others. The show is divided into several sections which shed light on each member of the family: Gertrude, the avant-garde writer, Leo, her brother who lived with her on rue de Fleurus, in addition to their older brother Michael and his wife Sarah who resided on rue Madame. Each family member’s tastes, interests and influences are explored through the works of art that inspired them.

A visit to this exhibition pairs nicely with our Museum of Modern Art Seminar.