Jayne Kirkman Wrightsman (née Larkin; October 21, 1919 – April 20, 2019) was an American philanthropist, arts collector and widow of Charles B. Wrightsman (1895–1986). She was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1965.[1] She was a resident and president of the co-op board at 820 Fifth Avenue.

Jayne Wrightsman
Born
Jane Kirkman Larkin

(1919-10-21)October 21, 1919
DiedApril 20, 2019(2019-04-20) (aged 99)
New York City, U.S.
Occupation(s)Socialite, philanthropist, collector, museum patron
SpouseCharles B. Wrightsman

Biography edit

She was born in Michigan, and grew up in Los Angeles.[2]

Beginning in 1952, she and her husband amassed the finest private collection in the US of the decorative arts of the ancien régime, ultimately donating many objects (comprising the Wrightsman Galleries) to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.[3] Jayne Wrightsman also served as a member of the museum's 100th Anniversary Committee[4] and was elected to the board of trustees in 1975.[3]

in 1994 Wrightsman gave an impressionist painting by Claude Monet entitled "Le Repos Dans le Jardin, Argenteuil," to the Metropolitan, but it was discovered to have been looted by Nazis from a Jewish collector during the Holocaust and was sold in 2002 following a settlement with the Newman family.[5][6]

In December 2012, Magnificent Jewels from the Collection of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman raised $15,541,188 at auction with Sotheby's, New York.[7]

Wrightsman died on April 20, 2019, aged 99.[2]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "The Best Dressed List - The International Hall of Fame: Women". Vanity Fair. 7 July 2011. Archived from the original on 10 September 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  2. ^ a b McFadden, Robert D. (20 April 2019). "Jayne Wrightsman, Arts Benefactor and Doyenne of High Society, Dies at 99". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  3. ^ a b A Guide to the Wrightsman Galleries at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  4. ^ Finding aid for the George Trescher records related to The Metropolitan Museum of Art Centennial, 1949, 1960-1971 (bulk 1967-1970). The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  5. ^ "Report: Monet Painting was Stolen During WWII". Orlando Sentinel. 25 July 1997. Archived from the original on 10 June 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  6. ^ Bailey, Martin (1 May 2002). "Met To Sell Monet". Forbes. Archived from the original on 26 March 2003. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Top Ten Most Expensive Private Jewelry Collections Sold at Auction". Jewels du Jour. 13 January 2014. Archived from the original on 16 January 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2019.

External links edit

  Media related to Jayne Wrightsman at Wikimedia Commons

  • "Jayne's World". Francesca Stanfill. Vanity Fair Magazine. January 2003. Retrieved 7 August 2016.