Agnes Gund obituary: art collector and philanthropist - The Times

Agnes Gund's remarkable life as philanthropist and Museum of Modern Art president showcases how art collecting can become a powerful force for social change and justice.

This obituary chronicles the extraordinary journey of Agnes Gund, who transformed from a wealthy art collector into one of America's most influential philanthropists. As MoMA's president from 1991-2002, she oversaw an $858 million expansion while donating 250 works from her personal collection. Her most notable act came in 2017 when she sold Roy Lichtenstein's "Masterpiece" for $165 million, using $100 million to launch the Art for Justice Fund addressing mass incarceration. Driven by guilt over her inherited wealth, Gund gave away two-thirds of her assets annually.

• Served as Museum of Modern Art president, overseeing major expansion and contemporary art exhibitions
• Sold prized Lichtenstein masterpiece to fund criminal justice reform initiatives
• Donated consistently throughout her life, giving away most of her annual wealth to various causes
• Left lasting legacy through strategic philanthropy addressing social justice and reproductive rights