Athena Society Elects to Acquire Robert Henri’s Modiste for the VBMA’s American Modern Collection

Athena Society Elects to Acquire Robert Henri’s Modiste
for the VBMA’s American Modern Collection

May 1, 2024

Vero Beach, FL— The Vero Beach Museum of Art (VBMA) hosted its annual Athena Society Dinner on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 6 p.m. with a record 185 guests in attendance. The event is one of the highlights of the Museum’s calendar as this esteemed group supports the enhancement of the Museum’s collection through the purchase of significant works of art.

This year, four artworks were presented and displayed in the Titelman and Schumann galleries for one month before the event.

After a presentation of the works by VBMA Chief Curator Caitlin Swindell, guests enjoyed lively conservation over dinner, and ballots were collected.

Modiste-Spanish-Girl-Madrid-1906-Robert-Henri

This year, members voted to acquire Modiste (Spanish Girl, Madrid), 1906, by American artist Robert Henri (b. 1865 Cincinnati, Ohio, d. New York City, 1929), acclaimed as the “Founder of the Ashcan school”—a major movement in early 20th-century American painting. His works are in numerous permanent collections, including the Musee d’Orsay in Paris, the Tate Gallery in London, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Athena Society Chair: Nell Kleinschmidt

Chair of Collections Committee: Joyce Moss

The Athena Society was formed in 2003 to acquire art for the Museum’s permanent collection. The Society is comprised of 133 member households. Athena Society membership dues are $5,000 annually. Museum membership at the Chairman’s Club level or higher is required.