Los Angeles Museum of Art Acquires First Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele Paintings Through Generous Donation

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Major Art Gift to LACMA to Feature Klimt, schiele and More

Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is poised to become a leading center for Austrian expressionist art, thanks to a forthcoming donation of over 100 works from the family of Otto Kallir, a prominent art dealer who emigrated from Austria in 1938. this substantial gift,unfolding over several years,will include paintings by Gustav Klimt,Egon Schiele,and Richard Gerstl – marking the first time LACMA will hold pieces by these celebrated artists.

Expanding LACMA’s Collection

The collection extends beyond the headline artists, encompassing paintings, drawings, prints, and posters from Alfred Kubin, Oskar Kokoschka, and Marie-Louise von Motesiczky, alongside contributions from German artists Lovis Corinth and Käthe kollwitz. This influx of work arrives shortly after LACMA received its inaugural paintings by Vincent van Gogh and Édouard Manet, a generous gift from the Pearlman Foundation, which is strategically dispersing its collection among three institutions.

Otto Kallir founded Galerie St. Etienne in New York City in 1939, a gallery that played a crucial role in introducing Austrian Expressionism to American audiences, according to his granddaughter, Jane Kallir. Following Kallir’s passing in 1978, Jane kallir and business partner Hildegard Bachert continued to operate the gallery for four decades, later establishing the Kallir Research Institute.

A Legacy of Promoting Austrian Art

Jane Kallir explained that austrian expressionists lacked recognition outside their home country prior to her grandfather’s efforts. Kallir meticulously cultivated their reputations through collaborations wiht museums and strategic donations. After her grandfather’s death, jane Kallir resolved to continue his mission, a goal she is now realizing.

The donated materials will largely be housed at LACMA’s Robert Gore Rifkind Center for German Expressionist Studies, under the supervision of curator Timothy O. Benson, who is already organizing an exhibition titled “Austrian Expressionism and Otto Kallir,” scheduled to open on November 23, 2025, and run through May 31, 2026.The exhibition will showcase 24 pieces from the gifted collection.

Filling a Critical Gap

Stephanie Barron, LACMA’s senior curator and head of modern art, highlighted the museum’s past strength in German Expressionism, noting a previous lack of substantial Austrian Expressionist holdings. “It’s been a lacuna, and something I never thought we would fix,” Barron stated, expressing deep gratitude for the opportunity to now include Klimt and Schiele paintings in the LACMA collection.

The initial shipment will include “Woman With Fur Collar,” an 1897 Klimt portrait described by Barron as “small but mighty,” and two significant landscapes by Schiele,considered “blockbusters” by Kallir’s granddaughter.

Artist	Notable Works in Gift
Gustav Klimt	“Woman With Fur Collar” (1897)
Egon Schiele	Two landscapes, “Self Portrait With Brown Background” (1912), “Sawmill” (1913)
Richard Gerstl	Paintings (specific titles not yet disclosed)

Did You Know? Before fleeing Austria in 1938, Kallir was able to export works by Schiele relatively easily as the Nazi regime deemed his art “degenerate.”

Understanding Austrian Expressionism

Austrian Expressionism, flourishing in the early 20th century, was a movement marked by intense emotional expression and a departure from traditional artistic conventions. Artists like Klimt, Schiele, and Kokoschka explored themes of anxiety, alienation, and the complexities of the human psyche, often utilizing distorted forms and vibrant colors.As of 2024, the market for Expressionist works remains robust, with prices continuing to climb at major auctions worldwide, reflecting sustained collector interest and critical acclaim. This recent gift to LACMA places the institution at the forefront of studying and preserving this significant art historical period.

Frequently Asked questions about the LACMA Donation

• What is Austrian Expressionism? It was an early-20th-century art movement characterized by intense emotional expression and non-traditional techniques.
• Who was Otto Kallir? he was a renowned art dealer who championed Austrian Expressionism in America.
• Why is this donation significant for LACMA? It fills a critical gap in the museum’s collection and establishes it as a leading center for the study of Austrian Expressionism.
• When will the exhibition open? “Austrian Expressionism and Otto Kallir” is scheduled to open on November 23, 2025.
• What specific works are included in the gift? The donation includes paintings, drawings, prints, and posters by Klimt, Schiele, and other prominent artists.
• How did kallir manage to bring Schiele’s work to the US? The Nazi regime considered Schiele’s works “degenerate” enabling Kallir to export them.

What are your thoughts on this significant addition to LACMA’s collection? Do you think this donation will attract a wider audience to Austrian Expressionism?