In a strongly worded letter to the Valparaiso University Board of Trustees, Richard Brauer demands that his name be removed from the Brauer Museum if three cornerstone paintings are sold to fund dorm renovations, and Jose・Condemned the move to sell Padilla’s paintings. The university president said it was a “desperate act by a desperate person.”
“At the time of writing this letter, I do not know the whereabouts or status of three of the most precious paintings housed in the museum that bears my name. I do not know whether they are safe or whether they are currently up for sale. I don’t know if it is available or if it has already been sold,” Brauer wrote in a letter dated Thursday. The board of directors is scheduled to meet this weekend.
The university removed the paintings from display in September 2023, citing safety concerns, and they have been stored in a secure off-site location ever since.
Professor Brower attempted to intervene in the university’s petition to amend the Percy H. Sloan Trust to allow for the sale, but on August 8, the day before Porter Superior Court Judge Anna Osun ruled in favor of the university. At the end of the month, I withdrew my request because I was at risk of suffering the following problems: The amount of attorney fees is unknown.
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Andy LaBarre / Post Tribune
Visitors walk among paintings, including Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Rusty Red Hills” (right), at the Braugher Museum of Art on the campus of Valparaiso University on Friday, February 10, 2023, in Valparaiso, Indiana. Campus and community members continue to react to the incident. Announces the pending sale of O’Keeffe’s work and two other works to fund renovations to the first-year student dormitory. (Andy LaBarre, Post-Tribune)
Under the philosophy of the trust established by Sloan, proceeds from the sale were to be reinvested into the collection through the purchase of additional art, but Osan decided that was impractical given the university’s financial situation. did. The university faces a $9 million deficit this year, according to court filings.
In court filings to amend the trust that paid for two of the paintings directly and funded the third, the university said that two of the three paintings were essentially “maintained.” He argued that it was not a “target” and therefore did not align with Sloan’s ideas. Brouwer said he was well aware of the collection and trust doctrine when he purchased the painting.
Mr. Brouer and his supporters disputed the idea that he breached the trust, arguing that all the paintings he bought were scrutinized at the time.
“The President has filed a successful petition in probate court, charging me, the committee I was a member of, and the committee I served with, alleging I acted in bad faith in acquiring two of those paintings. has defamed the Trustees of the Board,” Brauer said in a letter to the board.
“I can forgive this as an unnecessary and desperate act by a desperate person. However, throughout my career as director of the Valparaiso University Art Museum, I am grateful for the art I acquired through the generosity of donors. I refuse to have my name and reputation further tarnished by the sale of.
Andy LaBarre / Post Tribune
“The Silver Vale and the Golden Gate” by Childe Hassam, Friday, February 10, 2023, at the Brauer Art Museum on the campus of Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. Campus and community members continue to react to the O’s pending sale announcement. “Keef and two other works will fund renovations of first-year student dorms.” (Andy LaBarre, Post-Tribune)
Padilla plans to use the proceeds from the sale of Georgia O’Keeffe’s “The Last Red Hills,” Frederick E. Church’s “Mountain Landscape,” and “Silver Valley and Golden Gates” in February 2023. was the first to announce that the work could be sold. ” Written by Childe Hassam, donated to fund the renovation of the first-year dormitory.
O’Keefe’s fair market value is estimated at $10.5 million to $15 million, according to the appraisal the university received. Hassam is worth between $1 million and $3.5 million. And the church is $1 million to $3 million.
The announcement drew widespread criticism from students, faculty, alumni, and the art community, and garnered national attention.
“I hope that the Urschel family, who first requested that my name be inscribed in the museum, understand how grateful I am for honoring me in this way. I hope that the President understands why I must ask for my name to be removed if he is successful.”I will sell all of the works in question,” Brauer said in closing his letter. .
The university has not yet released a timeline for selling the paintings, but officials say they hope the first-year dormitory will be ready for occupancy in the fall of 2026. The dormitory will also include a gallery of lesser-known works from the Sloan Trust.
alavalley@chicagotribune.com
