Opening Reception: A Legacy of Generosity

From the venue:

Friday, September 12
Opening reception from 6 to 8 pm, remarks at 7 pm, Free and open to all

A Legacy of Generosity: The Jacobs Henderson Family Collections and Their Influence on OUMA

September 12 – December 7, 2025
 

A Legacy of Generosity: The Jacobs Henderson Family Collections and Their Influence on OUMA explores the richness of our museum collection through those works of art given by the descendants of OU President Thornwell Jacobs (1877 – 1956) and those inspired by these gifts. Included are large collections of porcelain, paintings, and works on paper generously given over many years by Ms. Caroline Lee Jacobs Henderson, President Jacobs’ granddaughter. This seminal collection has inspired many others to support OUMA through gifts-in-kind. Also on view are recent acquisitions of superb examples of Edo period (1600 to 1868) and Meiji period (1868 – 1912) Japanese porcelain from the family of Dr. Eugene Davidson and a selection of rare Vietnamese porcelain of the Hoi An Wreck, Le Dynasty ca. 1480 ce given by the family of David Yoakley Mitchell. On loan is a selection of paintings and works on paper by American Impressionist Paul Cornoyer, on loan from Bradley A. Firchow ’19 and Dylan M. Harper ’19, a young collecting couple inspired by the Jacobs Henderson family’s generosity.

Curated by John Daniel Tilford, Curatorial Advisor and Elizabeth Peterson Jennings, Museum Director
On view in the Shelley and Donald Rubin Gallery, OUMA

exhibit here