The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) announced its receipt of 1,124 photographs from Joy of Giving Something, Inc. (JGS), a nonprofit organization committed to advancing the art and accessibility of photography through support for residencies, museums, educational institutions and community-based organizations. This recent gift to VMFA features work by more than 25 photographers and includes 26 bodies of work created between the 19th century and the present day.
“The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is thrilled to receive this extraordinary gift of photographs,” said Alex Nyerges, Director and CEO. “This extensive and wide-ranging body of works donated by Joy of Giving Something to the museum is transformative, as it deepens and broadens our photography collection and opens new avenues for research, collecting and exhibition development.”
The photographs are drawn from the extensive holdings assembled by financier Howard Stein (1927–2011), who began to collect photography in the 1980s and amassed one of the most significant collections of historic, modern and contemporary photography in the United States. Among the highlights are 27 photographs by conceptual artist Robert Heinecken, 125 photographs by renowned photographer Mark Steinmetz that chronicle the American South over the last 30 years, Larry Clark’s portfolio Tulsa (1980), Paul Strand’s classic Mexico portfolio and a 19th-century album by French photographer Charles Nègre that documents one of Napoléon III’s building and social projects.
Other significant gifts include 102 photographs by Joseph Mills from his Washington D.C. series Inner City and strong holdings of work by 20th-century and contemporary artists, including Walter Chappell, Tim Davis, Chris Enos, Hans Eijkelboom, Harry Gruyaert, Todd Hido, David Maisel, Tanya Marcuse, Doug and Mike Starn, John Szarkowski and Catherine Wagner.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd.
Richmond, Virginia 23220
www.VMFA.museum
