Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Emily Carr originals among works of art given to U of L
LETHBRIDGE – The University of Lethbridge has received its largest ever gift of original artwork and cultural properties.
Valued at between $4 and $5 million, the 1,100 works were a gift from the estate of Calgary heiress Dr. Margaret (Marmie) Perkins Hess.
Many of the works haven’t been seen in public since they were originally acquired, including a painting by Group of Seven artist Tom Thomson, called “Cliffs Near Petawawa.” That work is valued at more than $1 million alone.
U of L Art Gallery Curator and Director Josephine Mills says “Marmie” went to university in Alberta and Toronto in the 1930s and was particularly interested in indigenous artists, like Bill Reid.