The Robert Lehman Collection, comprising more than 2,600 works, was given to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1969, at the collector’s death, and celebrated the following year at the centennial marking the Museum’s anniversary. Spanning the Renaissance to early twenti eth-century modernism, the collection embraces master pieces of European painting and drawing as well as ceramics and decorative arts, reflecting a remarkable breadth and depth. Robert Lehman devoted his life to sharing the joy of art, a conviction that inspired him to exhibit and ultimately bequeath his holdings to the public.

Since the first Impressionist exhibition of 1874, mod ernism blossomed into a multitude of styles in the early twentieth century, the result of generations of artists expanding the boundaries of expression. In his later years, Robert Lehman poured his passion into acquir ing French modern art, seeing it as the culmination of a collecting journey begun by his father. This exhibition carries forward Lehman’s profound love of art and his spirit of generosity, now shared here in Korea. As Lehman wished, may these works continue to bring joy to all and linger long in their hearts