The Art Institute of Chicago just reached a significant curatorial milestone, thanks to a historic donation of 16th–19th century French art.
The “transformative” gift from art collectors Jeffrey and Carol Horvitz represents one of the most renowned collections of Old World French art in the United States, according to the AIC.
Consisting of over 2,000 pieces, the collection features works from renowned French artists François Boucher, Anne Vallayer-Coster, and Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, among others.
The Horvitz collection has been exhibited across the U.S. and Europe, spanning nearly four decades of curation. Now, the works have a permanent home at the AIC, where museum staff will ensure their long-term accessibility and preservation.
“We have always envisioned this collection remaining whole so it could be more than the sum of its parts, and we wanted it to go to a major American museum where the most visitors could experience these artistic treasures,” said Jeffrey Horvitz.
“…There was no more perfect choice than the Art Institute.”
The AIC previously displayed portions of the collection in late 2024. With the full collection now part of the museum’s holdings, art enthusiasts can expect sweeping exhibitions to come.