29 October 2009

Suozzi, Yatauro Welcome Matinecock Indian Chief Painting To Its New Home

Suozzi brokered agreement to keep painting in Nassau County Museum of Art's Permanent Collection

Bank of America donated painting that hung in its former Locust Valley branch

ROSLYN, NY – Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi was joined today by Presiding Officer Diane Yatauro, President of the Nassau County Museum of Art Peter Tilles and representatives from Bank of America to welcome the Matinecock Indian Painting to its new permanent home at Nassau County Museum Art.

"It was a pleasure to facilitate discussions with Bank of America, the Nassau County Museum Art, and the Locust Valley Historical Society to give this painting a permanent home at the Nassau County Museum of Art," said Suozzi, "Generations from now, Nassau residents will still be able to enjoy this magnificent work."

The painting, Matinecock Indian Chief, by George de Forest Brush, was given to Matinecock Bank in 1938, which later changed ownership and became Bank of America.

This summer, Bank of America announced that it was closing its Locust Valley branch. When the closing of this branch was announced, local residents launched a letter-writing campaign to urge that the work remain in the community. Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi and Presiding Officer Diane Yatauro facilitated a discussion between the Bank of America and museum officials to make sure this painting stayed in Nassau County. Bank of America gifted this painting to the Museum in October 2009 and it will be part of the Museum's permanent collection and will also participate in the Bank's "Arts in Our Communities" program.

"At Bank of America, we take great pride in sharing our sizable and diverse art collection with the widest possible audience," said Bob Isaksen, President of the Bank of America Long Island. "The Matinecock Indian Chief painting has been a mainstay in the community for years, and we are thrilled to have helped find it a permanent home at a premier museum."

"We want to thank County Executive Thomas Suozzi for helping to bring the Bank of America and Nassau County Museum of Art together to protect the future of the painting, "Shinnecock Indian Chief" by George de Forest Brush," said Constance Schwartz, Acting Director of Nassau Museum of Art. "This addition to the Museum's Permanent Collection is very meaningful and will be a point of reference for thousands of school children as well as being a source of enjoyment for countless numbers of visitors. Our appreciation is extended to the Bank of America for their most generous gift."

"As an art lover and a local resident, it was very satisfying for me to have played a role in preserving this valuable artwork here in our community for future generations to enjoy. I want to thank the Bank of America, the County museum and the Historical Society for their assistance in making this happen. The County Executive and I take great pride in lending our guidance to ensuring that "The Matinecock Indian Chief" remains a part of our North Shore cultural tradition," said Legislator Diane Yatauro.

"We are indebted to Tom Suozzi and all the elected officials who helped make this possible. We are also grateful to Bank of America for their generosity in allowing this treasure to remain permanently in the community. We look forward to visiting our Matinecock Indian at its new home for many years to come," said Amy Driscoll, Secretary of the Locust Valley Historical Society.

George de Forest Brush (American, 1855-1941) studied at Jean-Léon Gérome's studio in Paris and then went to live among the Arapahoe, Shoeshone and Crow in Wyoming and Montana. His depictions of the tribal customs and daily lives of Indian subjects were published in such publications of the day as Harpers and Century Magazine. He taught at Cooper Union and The Art Students League and was a member of and exhibited at the National Academy of Design. Much celebrated in his lifetime, his paintings have not often been seen since. However, in 2008 the National Gallery of Art presented George de Forest Brush: The Indian Paintings with a catalogue that included the first scholarly studies of this series of paintings.

Matinecock Indian Chief was completed in 1928 and is a 36 by 26 inch oil on panel work.

Nassau County Museum of Art is located at One Museum Drive in Roslyn Harbor. For information on current exhibitions or programs, call (516) 484-9337 or log onto nassaumuseum.org.