Provenance

Mrs. Stanley J. Sarnoff

Dreyfus, Lili-Charlotte
Sarnoff, Lili-Charlotte
Sarnoff, Lolo

American, 1916 - 2014

Explore selected works

An ice- and powder-blue sky swirled with faint peach takes up the top two-thirds of this landscape painting. A farm, field, road, and fence lie beyond the snow-dusted, spiky branches of a tree jutting into the scene from the lower right corner. The road extends from the bottom left corner into the distance near the left edge of the canvas. The fence cuts across the space closer to us, and the snowy field beyond reflects the cool blues of the sky. The pale green and peanut-brown farmhouse and buildings are topped with pale blue, snow-covered roofs. Dark forms near the road in the distance could be a person or a person and child, and two more people lean into the wind alongside the buildings to our right. The artist signed the lower left corner, “Sisley.”
Alfred Sisley, First Snow at Veneux-Nadon, 1878, oil on canvas, Donated by Lolo Sarnoff in memory of her grandfather, Louis Koch, 1983.98.1

First Snow at Veneux-Nadon

Alfred Sisley · 1878 · oil on canvas ·  Accession ID  1983.98.1

The image depicts an abstract composition of linear and geometric shapes, such as rectangles and triangles. These shapes form a structured grid pattern that suggests objects like trees and houses. The artwork features a texture and color palette of yellow, red, green, and blue, creating an abstract landscape reminiscent of a countryside with a forest and sky. The lines are intricately drawn, similar to a topographic map.
Paul Klee, Junger Wald (Young Forest), 1925, pen and black ink and watercolor on laid paper, on Klee's original mount, Donated by Lolo Sarnoff in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Martha von Hirsch, 1990.136.1

Junger Wald (Young Forest)

Paul Klee · 1925 · pen and black ink and watercolor on laid paper, on Klee's original mount ·  Accession ID  1990.136.1

This painting is a portrait of a woman from the chest upwards. The woman is facing us. Her facial features are abstract and stylized, with red lips, thin dark eyebrows, and small eyes. Her skin is painted in bold, expressive brush strokes in shades of cream, peach, and light pink. The woman has dark hair that is mostly obscured by an elaborate hat adorned with abstract floral patterns in dark blue, green, and white, with accents of orange around the edges. She wears a high-collared garment depicted in thick strokes of yellow, dark blue, and black. The background consists of dynamic strokes of different shades of greens and blues, adding a sense of movement to the painting.
Maurice de Vlaminck, Woman with a Hat, 1906, oil on canvas, Donated by Lolo Sarnoff in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert von Hirsch, 1981.84.1

Woman with a Hat

Maurice de Vlaminck · 1906 · oil on canvas ·  Accession ID  1981.84.1

The entire body of a person is depicted in a reclining position on a patterned surface, like a bed or a couch. The person is lying on their side, with one arm bent behind their head and the other resting on their hip. They have short, dark hair, and their facial features are detailed with eyes gently open, a straight nose, and full lips. The person does not appear to be wearing any clothing or visible jewelry. The background consists of a decorative pattern, likely floral.
Henri Matisse, Henriette as an Odalisque, 1922, pen and black ink on wove paper, Donated by Lolo Sarnoff in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert von Hirsch, 1981.84.2

Henriette as an Odalisque

Henri Matisse · 1922 · pen and black ink on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1981.84.2

The painting depicts a stately building complex from an elevated point. The buildings are large, with white, ivy-covered walls and dark, peaked roofs. One building on the left is directly ahead of us, while a closer building on the right sits on a small hill. The buildings are connected by wide gray paths and small stairs. Small people walk the paths or stand on the surrounding grass wearing dresses or suits in bright colors, some with white wigs or pointed hats. The light is warm, and the people cast soft shadows on the grass. Tall trees near the buildings provide areas of shade. The sky above is soft blue with pale white clouds.
Bernardo Bellotto, The Fortress of Königstein: Courtyard with the Magdalenenburg, 1756-1758, oil on canvas, Donated by Lolo Sarnoff in memory of her grandfather, Louis Koch, 1996.64.1

The Fortress of Königstein: Courtyard with the Magdalenenburg

Bernardo Bellotto · 1756-1758 · oil on canvas ·  Accession ID  1996.64.1