Fred Ebb's Expressionist drawings bequest to the Morgan Library

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 6:33am

Who knew that Fred Ebb was an art collector? I'd love to know if his collecting interest in this field was sparked pre- or post- CABARET.

"A completely unexpected gift that will help the Morgan strengthen its holdings of modern and contemporary art is a bequest from the Broadway lyricist Fred Ebb, who died in September. For years, Ebb collected works on paper, mostly by German Expressionist and Vienna Secessionist artists. Ebb left the Morgan more than 40 drawings and watercolors by 22 artists, including Max Beckmann, Otto Dix, George Grosz, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele."

Morgan Library director Charles Pierce never met Ebb and was only in touch with Joan Fischer, a collector/dealer who encouraged Ebb. Mr. Pierce describes the gift as "stupendous."

"We have had nothing of this sort," he added. "To get 40 works of this school and of this quality is extraordinary."


Fred Ebb bequest

Updated On: 7/23/05 at 06:33 AM