A Passion for France. The Marlene and Spencer Hays Collection

A pair of American art lovers, passionate about French culture, created, over several decades, an outstanding collection of 19th century and early 20th century works.
The bonds of friendship established between the owners and the director of the Musée d’Orsay and Musée de l’Orangerie have now enabled this collection to be exhibited. Works include the seventh panel of Édouard Vuillard's Public Gardens, the Musée d'Orsay already has five of the nine panels, as well as works by Bonnard, Ranson and Roussel, and several of Vuillard's enchanting paintings, decorative panels by Maurice Denis and two Symbolist masterpieces by Redon. The 1860s and the Impressionist period are well represented with works by Fantin-Latour, Tissot, Caillebotte, Berthe Morisot and Eva Gonzalès. Covering a wide spectrum of creative works, the collection ends chronologically with Derain, Matisse and Modigliani. The majority of the works are returning to France, their country of origin, for the first time. The arrival of the collection at the Musée d'Orsay will enable us to discover not only the major works of world famous artists, but also more secret treasures that demonstrate the confident, independent taste of their owners.