The Hyde Collection, known for its old masters and historic buildings, received a major bequest of modern art and cash from Schenectady architect and art collector Werner Feibes.
Feibes chose the Hyde in the small upstate city over galleries in New York and Boston.
“Quite frankly, our ego said ‘we want the Feibes-Schmitt collection to make a difference to a community,’ so it’s a real win-win deal,” said Feibes.
Feibes, who is 87, donated about one-third of the collection he shared with his late husband James Schmitt to the museum in 2015.
“Which I had in storage,” said Feibes. “And we had an apartment in New York and some of it was there and I had gotten rid of that. But, I have a house in Schenectady and I’m going to live with that art, and when I die it goes to the Hyde.”
Feibes said he can’t “own” the art and says it’s more like passing it along.
The Feibes & Schmitt collection includes works by notable 20th century artists such as Keith Haring, Ellsworth Kelly, and Sol LeWitt.
The museum calls it a “gift of a lifetime.” The collection that totals 160 pieces, along with a cash gift of $1 million, is valued at more than $11 million. It’s the largest contribution to the Hyde since Charlotte Pruyn Hyde bequeathed her estate to establish the museum in 1952.
Many visitors are familiar with the Hyde’s Picasso and Rembrandt. Museum Director Erin Coe says the Feibes & Schmitt collection will provide art of a new generation.
“We do have some collections here of modern art, but nothing that really compares to the strength and scope of what the Feibes & Schmitt collection represents,” said Coe.
The museum intends to build a new wing to display the work. A capital campaign has begun and construction on the Feibes & Schmitt gallery will begin this fall.
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik anticipates the gift will have a big economic impact on the museum and the city.
“I had a conversation with a business owner how you can see the impact of the Hyde when customers come in with the Hyde stickers during the events they put on, so it’s just very exciting.”
Local state Assemblyman Dan Stec said the Hyde and gift bestow a big sense of hometown pride.
“A city of our size, a community of our size, to have a museum where you can go and see a Rembrandt or a Picasso or a Warhol…that’s amazing. You don’t have to go to New York City or Boston, we have a treasure like that right here in downtown Glens Falls,” said Stec.
