Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art

Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art
Name	Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art
Established	1941
Location	Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, United States
Type	Art museum
Collection size	~45,000 objects
Director	David A. Brenneman
Website	artmuseum.indiana.edu

Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art is a major university art museum located on the campus of Indiana University Bloomington. Founded in 1941, its encyclopedic collections span global art history from antiquity to the contemporary era. The museum is renowned for its significant holdings in works on paper, African art, and classical artifacts, serving as a vital cultural and educational resource for the university and the public.

History

The museum's origins trace to 1941 when the university's first director of art, Henry Radford Hope, began consolidating a teaching collection. Its first dedicated building, designed by the firm I.M. Pei & Associates, opened in 1962 with support from then-university president Herman B Wells. A major transformative gift from Indianapolis philanthropists Sidney Eskenazi and Lois Eskenazi in 2015 funded a comprehensive renovation and expansion, leading to the museum's renaming in their honor. The revitalized facility, which reopened in 2019, was designed by the architecture firm Ennead Architects in collaboration with the design practice Beyer Blinder Belle.

Collections

The museum's permanent collection comprises approximately 45,000 objects representing a vast chronological and geographical range. Key areas of strength include the Samuel H. Kress Collection of European paintings, an extensive collection of works on paper featuring prints by Albrecht Dürer and Rembrandt, and the Thomas T. Solley Collection of 20th-century modernism. Other significant holdings encompass ancient art from the Mediterranean Basin, Asian art with notable Japanese prints, and one of the premier university collections of African art in the United States, including important pieces from the Kingdom of Benin.

Architecture

The original 1962 building was a landmark of mid-century modern design by I.M. Pei, featuring a dramatic central atrium. The 2015–2019 renovation and expansion, led by Ennead Architects, respectfully preserved Pei's iconic structure while adding new gallery, education, and conservation spaces. The project enhanced accessibility, updated critical building systems, and introduced a new glass-enclosed entrance pavilion. The redesign also improved the display of the collection, including a dedicated gallery for the African art collection and state-of-the-art study rooms.

Notable works

Among the thousands of objects, several works are particularly celebrated. The European painting collection includes J.M.W. Turner's *The Fifth Plague of Egypt* and Claude Monet's *Charing Cross Bridge*. The prints and drawings collection holds masterpieces like Albrecht Dürer's *Melencolia I* and a rare impression of Rembrandt's *The Three Crosses*. Modernist highlights include Pablo Picasso's *The Bathers* and Jackson Pollock's *Untitled (Green Silver)*. The ancient collection features a Roman marble portrait bust of the emperor Caracalla, and the African galleries display a renowned 16th-century Kingdom of Benin commemorative head.

Public programs and education

As an integral part of Indiana University, the museum is deeply committed to interdisciplinary teaching and public engagement. It offers a wide array of programs including lectures by visiting scholars like Robert Storr, artist talks, family workshops, and curated tours. The museum's Eskenazi Museum of Art study rooms allow for direct object-based learning for students across disciplines. It frequently collaborates with academic departments, the Jacobs School of Music, and the Indiana University Cinema to create integrated programming, and its exhibitions often travel to other institutions like the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Governance and funding

The museum operates under the auspices of Indiana University and is governed by university administration alongside an advisory board. Major funding derives from the university, private donations, grants from organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and membership support through its affiliated group, the Friends of Art. The landmark 2015 gift from Sidney Eskenazi and Lois Eskenazi remains the most significant private contribution in the institution's history, ensuring its endowment and operational future.

Category:Art museums in Indiana Category:Indiana University Category:Museums established in 1941 Category:Education in Bloomington, Indiana