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Jacob and the Angel
194536 x 44 in. (91.4 x 111.8 cm)
Maxim Kopf
American (Vienna, Austria, 1893 - 1958, Hanover, NH)
Object Type:
Painting
Medium and Support:
Oil on canvas
Credit Line:
Marion Stratton Gould Fund
Accession Number:
1947.29
Location: Not currently on view
This Genesis story is a common subject in Western painting, depicting the biblical figure of Jacob wrestling with an angel and receiving a blessing. Like Jacob, Maxim Kopf struggled mightily in his life and then was blessed, having spent two and a half years in internment camps in Europe before coming to the United States in 1941.
In 1947, MAG director Gertrude Herdle negotiated to purchase this painting, thinking “it one of the most important contemporary American paintings which we could add to our collection at this time.” Sixty-five years later, Kopf is no longer regarded as a major contemporary artist. However, as tastes change over time, a painting that was held in high esteem by one director may be well-regarded by another in the future. For that reason, museums approach the process of deaccessioning with great care.
[Label text from It Came From the Vault exhibition, 2013]
In 1947, MAG director Gertrude Herdle negotiated to purchase this painting, thinking “it one of the most important contemporary American paintings which we could add to our collection at this time.” Sixty-five years later, Kopf is no longer regarded as a major contemporary artist. However, as tastes change over time, a painting that was held in high esteem by one director may be well-regarded by another in the future. For that reason, museums approach the process of deaccessioning with great care.
[Label text from It Came From the Vault exhibition, 2013]
Marks
Artist's signature, lower right: Maxim Kopf 45
Provenance
American-British Art Center, New York; purchased by the Gallery in 1947
Keywords
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Exhibition List
This object was included in the following exhibitions:
- Visions of Angels Memorial Art Gallery 10/29/1999 - 1/23/2000
- It Came from the Vault: Rarely Seen Works from MAG's Collection 3/17/2013 - 6/9/2013
Bibliography
This object has the following bibliographic references:
- Article Title: Recent Accessions in American Painting. Article Scope: Article. Memorial Art Gallery. Gallery Notes. Rochester, New York: Memorial Art Gallery, 1935-1995. Volume Number: 13, Issue Number: 4. Issue Date: March 1948.
Web Links
See links to web pages and lesson plans
It Came from the Vault exhibition catalogue
Entry for this artwork in the It Came from the Vault exhibition catalogue. The exhibition ran from March 17-June 9, 2013