Saul Dennison, art collector and former new museum chairman, died in 96

The famous art patron Saul Dennison died on September 11, 1996.

Dennison and his wife Ellyn died in May, and they are longtime art collectors. In 1993, the Morris Museum in Morristown, New Jersey exhibited their collection, from new media and photography to classical sculptures, and concept works such as the iconic installations of Felix Gonzalez-Torres, consisting of 24 light bulbs. Writing at that time New York Times Critic William Zimmer calls it a “clear picture” of “recent art history.”

Dennisons is also a major supporter of the new museum in New York, with Saul serving as chairman of the board from 1999 to 2013. He served as chairman in 2013 and served as chairman honorary chairman until his death.

In his 2017 oral history with Lisa Phillips, the director of the new museum, Dennison recalled that he wanted to give back to the art world after telling his friend Richard Ekstract’s publishing giant, and in 1990 he participated in the new museum. In the early 1990s, Dennison helped the museum bridge the financial gap during the recession. The museum has been challenging on the list of philanthropist Vera (the namer of the new school’s Vera Center for Arts and Politics), but was unable to raise the required funds. Dennison advises museums to accept art as donations and apply their fair value to their targets. The list agreed, and Denison donated six paintings. Many other trustees followed suit.

“It’s very easy to achieve goals through the value of these paintings,” Denison said.[List] You know, writing a little check, right in her checkbook. I can’t overcome it. She provided handwriting for New Year’s Eve, which was her contribution of half a million dollars. I said to myself, “I really have to know these people.”

Dennison’s tenure as president and chairman coincides with the opening of its permanent residence in 2007 at the New Museum, located at 235 Bowery: a $50 million, seven-story, 58,700 square feet building. (The museum has been closed since last year for the construction of the space and is scheduled to reopen this fall.)

Dennison was born on January 21, 1929, leading the institution with “wisdom, openness and integrity,” the New Museum said in an Instagram statement. It added: “He accepted various forms of art experimentation and encouraged creative adventures. Together with his wife Ellyn, he met hundreds of artists around the world during many new museum trips. They were customers of the museum, Saul’s customers were great, and Saul was the first to lead us to build our first flagship store on Bowery. We pay tribute to Saul’s leadership strength. We have a strong attitude toward our leadership.”

Dennison’s daughter Lisa Dennison is Sotheby’s executive vice president and chairman of America. She previously worked at the Guggenheim Museum in New York for 29 years, serving as a director from 2005 to 2007.

“Dad, I taught you about art, but you taught me about everything else I know. Stay peacefully with mom and know your legacy and values ​​live among your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”