Colby College Museum of Art receives major Matisse screenprint gift
A significant donation has been made to the Colby College Museum of Art: Henri Matisse's 'Océanie, le ciel', a large screenprint on linen created in 1946 and printed two years later in 1948. This artwork was gifted by Josephine Merrill Eastman and her family in tribute to Colby President David A. Greene. This addition greatly enhances the museum's collection and highlights Maine's growing status as a prominent hub for both American and international art. President Greene commended the Eastman family's enduring commitment to artists' intellectual property rights, emphasizing their groundbreaking legal efforts and ongoing support for the arts across generations.
Key facts
- Henri Matisse's 'Océanie, le ciel' is a monumental screenprint on linen.
- The work was conceived in 1946 and printed in 1948.
- The gift is from Josephine Merrill Eastman and the Eastman family.
- The donation honors Colby College President David A. Greene.
- The acquisition reinforces Colby's position as a leading academic art museum.
- Maine's profile as a major destination for art is growing.
- The Eastman family has a history of protecting artists' intellectual property rights.
- President Greene knows three generations of the Eastman family.
Entities
Artists
- Henri Matisse
Institutions
- Colby College Museum of Art
- Colby College
Locations
- Maine
- United States