Museum of Fine Arts gets gift of 52 Native American works

BOSTON – The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston has received a gift of 52 works of art either by Native American artists or depicting Native American culture from the Rockefeller family.

The museum announced the gift from the estate of David Rockefeller on Thursday.

The pieces were assembled primarily by John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller in the 1920s and 1930s. Others were added by their son David Rockefeller and his wife, Peggy.

They include Plains beadwork, Navajo weavings and rugs, Nez Perce cornhusk bags and one Taos School painting, as well as pottery, watercolours and baskets by artists from 13 tribes and nations.

The museum in a statement says the works “present an opportunity to add greater depth and breadth to the existing collection” of Native American art.