Anne d'Harnoncourt, Philadelphia Museum Of Art Director, Dies At Age 64

I was devastated to hear that Anne d'Harnoncourt died last night, June 1, 2008, at the age of 64. The presumed cause of her death was a stroke. She served as the director for the Philadelphia Museum of Art since 1982, and as CEO since 1997.

"It's a shock and it's very sad. It's unimaginable - the museum world without her," said Philippe de Montebello as quoted in the Inquirer. "There's no question that she was one of the very few people at the very summit to whom all museum directors and curators would look up and consult. She was a very big influence on the international museum group that meets every year. She was just someone who made a difference wherever she went."

It goes without saying that her death is a huge loss to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Philadelphia community, and the entire art world. Prior to d'Harnoncourt arrival in 1982, the Philadelphia Museum of Art couldn't afford to keep all major collections open to the public. Her leadership helped to reinstall the European collections in more than 90 galleries, and guide the renovation of 20 modern and contemporary art galleries. She also brought special exhibitions like Vincent Van Gogh and Salvidor Dali. Today, the museum is thriving.

She demonstrated a clear future vision for the museum. At the time of her death she was overseeing a massive $590 million expansion and renovation of the museum, including a Frank Gehry reworking of the main building, restoration of the exterior and the erection of a new sculpture garden atop a underground parking garage. The long awaited Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman Building was completed on Sept. 15, 2007.

The life of Anne d'Harnoncourt teaches me the importance of advocating for the arts. All visitors to the Philadelphia Museum of Art have benefited from her expertise in selecting, acquiring, and displaying art. I know I have. Each visit I learn to appreciate the arts in new ways. It was at the Philadelphia Museum of Art where I first surveyed surrealism, and grasped impressionism. I continue to expand my knowledge each time I return (most recently at the Frida Kahlo exhibit), partly because of d'Harnoncourt's powerful influence upon the museum.

She will be greatly missed.

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