been important to me. As a child, I would lie in the grass
and study them. I told people I could see the molecules
that composed them. Clouds gave me great solace and
calm during distressing times. At that exhibit I began
to understand how representational paintings were also
involved in harmony and balance, composition and color,
and held their own sense of geometry.”
In her foreword to the catalog, the museum’s director,
Min Jung Kim, writes about the collector’s closeness to
the artists whose work they collect.
“Rather than collecting encyclopedically, Gail and
Ernst have acquired the work of select artists in-depth,
a practice that reflects their dedication to nurturing and
developing personal relationships with artists. They
have been consistent with their encouragement and
support throughout artists’ oeuvres, but perhaps most
importantly at crucial moments in artists’ careers.”
I ask them about their concentration primarily on
New England artists. Ernst replies, “When you live
somewhere you see the atmosphere all the time. In a way,
you can relate better to people who work in the same
environment. I grew up in Holland and can recognize
Dutch paintings pretty quickly. It’s more interesting to
be living in the area where the artists are.”AS WE SEE IT:
THE COLLECTION OF GAIL
AND ERNST VON METZSCH
When: Through January 8, 2017
Where: New Britain Museum of American Art,
56 Lexington Street, New Britain, CT 06052
Information: (860) 229-0257, http://www.nbmaa.org67
069AS WE SEE IT