UBS Art Collection Donates 166 Photographs to National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC
The UBS Art Collection, a renowned corporate art holding with over 30,000 works, has made a significant donation of 166 photographs to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. This is the largest single donation UBS has made to a museum, including works by prominent photographers such as Dorothea Lange, Alfred Stieglitz, and Edward Weston. The collection, curated by the late John Szarkowski, focuses on the theme of land use and includes landscapes, still lifes, and portraits spanning several decades.
Mary Rozell, global head of the UBS Art Collection, selected the NGA as the recipient due to its photography department’s importance and the museum’s commitment to free public access. Sarah Greenough, head of the photography department at the NGA, was chosen to oversee the gift to honor Szarkowski’s legacy. The donation aims to enrich the NGA’s photography collection and explore how artists have depicted land use over the years.
An exhibition featuring the photographs is planned for 2026 at the NGA, offering visitors the opportunity to study and enjoy the diverse range of images. Additionally, members of the public can make appointments to view other works in the NGA’s Photograph Study Room. This generous donation from UBS contributes to the preservation and accessibility of these significant photographic works for future generations to appreciate and learn from.
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Elara Voss, graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with a Master’s in Fine Art. She specializes in contemporary sculpture and installation art, exploring themes of nature and human interaction. Elara’s works have been featured in several group exhibitions across Europe, and she is currently working on her first solo show.