The Morgan Library & Museum presents over one hundred drawings and photographs from the collection assembled by American fashion designer Herbert Kasper—known simply as Kasper. The collection, exceptional for its distinctive character and superb quality, is being exhibited to the public for the first time.
The unusual tripartite nature of the holdings is a testament to both Kasper's personal taste and his desire to build a truly unique collection. It is focused in three areas: sixteenth- and seventeenth-century old-master drawings from the Mannerist period, modern and contemporary drawings, and photography. Most of the great Mannerist draftsmen—primarily Italian but also Northern European—are represented, including Perino del Vaga, Polidoro da Caravaggio, Giorgio Vasari, and Hendrick Goltzius. Equally impressive is the selection of modern and contemporary drawings featuring works by Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris, Henri Matisse, Jean Dubuffet, Richard Serra, Ed Ruscha, and others. Photographs constitute the most diverse portion of Kasper's collection, with excellent prints by major historical figures in addition to numerous works by emerging artists. The photographs span the early twentieth century to the present chronicling the evolution of the medium through works by Constantin Brancusi, Man Ray, Robert Mapplethorpe, Jenny Holzer, and many more.
Hans Hoffmann, An Affenpinscher (detail), 1580, watercolor and gouache on vellum. Kasper Collection, New York.