The Natalie and Irving Forman Collection

The Albright-Knox Art Gallery is most grateful to Natalie and Irving Forman for their generous gift of The Natalie and Irving Forman Collection. The collection comprises 160 paintings and sculptures and more than 200 works on paper by many contemporary artists, many of whom are already represented in the Albright-Knox Art Gallery's permanent collection. Much of the work in the Forman's significant collection is monochromatic art - richly nuanced paintings that are primarily one color.

Natalie and Irving Forman have been collecting contemporary art since the 1950s. Before moving to Santa Fe in 1985, they lived in their native Chicago for thirty-five years where they began collecting contemporary art on trips to New York. One of the first works purchased by the Formans on such a trip was a small sculpture by Pablo Picasso. However, they soon became interested in non-objective art and around 1960 were among the first collectors to purchase works by Robert Ryman, the famous Minimalist and Conceptual painter.

The Natalie and Irving Forman Collection marks the first major gift to come to the Gallery from beyond Western New York. It contributes immeasurably to the Gallery's permanent collection and ensures that visitors, scholars, and artists will be able to enjoy these works for years to come.