Description
Gerhard and Marianne Pinkus emigrated from Germany to Los Angeles in the 1930s and began to collect art in the 1940s. After
accumulating a small collection of choice (and sometimes rare) finds, Gerhard and Marianne became a major force in the Los
Angeles art world, especially in regard to their primary interest: Marc Chagall. Though they focused mainly on Chagall, the
Pinkuses collected drawings, lithographs, and paintings by many other artists from various periods, with some emphasis on
German Expressionism. In addition to Chagall's drawings, the Pinkus collection included works by Ernst Kirchner, Rico Lebrun,
Gasparo Lopez, Theodore Chasseriau, Edouard Manet, Eugene Delacroix, Conrad Felixmuller, Paul Klee, Gerald Brockhurst, Eugene
Carriere, Franz Marc, Charles Meryon, Henry Fantin-Latour, Christian Anton Laely, and Henri Matisse. The papers of Gerhard
and Marianne Pinkus, 1859-1999 (bulk 1920s-1970s) document their art collecting activites, as well as their and their respective
families' emigre experiences to the United States and South America.
Background
Gerhard and Marianne Pinkus emigrated from Germany to Los Angeles in the 1930s and were married in Santa Monica in 1943. After
establishing themselves as local business owners (they owned a furniture store), Gerhard began to collect art. He established
relationships with collectors and gallery owners in Los Angeles and, gradually, throughout North America and Europe. After
accumulating a small collection of choice (and sometimes rare) finds, Gerhard and Marianne became a major force in the Los
Angeles art world, especially in regard to their primary interest: Marc Chagall. Gerhard and Marianne Pinkus were largely
responsible for bringing Chagall's work to Los Angeles. In 1972, Gerhard collaborated with the Los Angeles County Museum of
Art to exhibit Chagall's early sketches. Gerhard worked doggedly to assemble a comprehensive exhibition of Chagall's drawings
(up to 1930) from his own collection and through loans from private collections all over the world. Though they focused mainly
on Chagall, the Pinkuses collected drawings, lithographs, and paintings by many other artists from various periods, with some
emphasis on German Expressionism. In addition to Chagall's drawings, the Pinkus collection included works by Ernst Kirchner,
Rico Lebrun, Gasparo Lopez, Theodore Chasseriau, Edouard Manet, Eugene Delacroix, Conrad Felixmuller, Paul Klee, Gerald Brockhurst,
Eugene Carriere, Franz Marc, Charles Meryon, Henry Fantin-Latour, Christian Anton Laely, and Henri Matisse.
Extent
13.27 Linear Feet
23 boxes
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Availability
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.