Hispanic Society to Sell Dozens of Artworks From Its Collection

"The Hispanic Society Museum and Library in Upper Manhattan is deaccessioning dozens of European Old Master works, including a painting from the workshop of El Greco, to raise money for collection care and acquisitions. Founded in 1904 with the intent to "advance the study of the Spanish and Portuguese languages, literature, and history," the museum is selling 45 paintings of predominantly religious and aristocratic subjects from its collection in an online auction closing on October 17."

"The works are being offered through Christie's in a "special strategic deaccessioning sale" because they were found to be outside of the museum's core mission as it attempts to "responsibly diversify" its collection, according to a press release shared with Hyperallergic. The institution did not respond to a request for comment inquiring about more specific plans for the funds from the sale."

The Hispanic Society Museum and Library in Upper Manhattan is deaccessioning 45 European Old Master paintings to raise funds for collection care and acquisitions. The sale, conducted online through Christie's and closing October 17, includes mainly Spanish, Hispano-Flemish, and Central Italian religious and aristocratic works deemed outside the museum's core mission during efforts to "responsibly diversify" its holdings. Highlighted lots include "Saint Dominic in Prayer" from El Greco's workshop, expected to fetch over $150,000. The museum retains a first-edition Don Quixote and a 1529 world map and serves the Washington Heights/Dominican Historic District community. The American Alliance of Museums permits using deaccessioning proceeds for collection care.

Read at Hyperallergic