Anne d'Harnoncourt

I had the unalloyed pleasure of meeting with Anne d'Harnoncourt when the PMA began collaborating with the Free Library of Philadelphia's Summer Reading programs with gifts of family passes and art workshops at the branches. She was a true Amazon for Art in Philadelphia & the world.

Anne d'Harnoncourt was positively glorious. Intelligent, warm, eloquent, gracious, wise, beautiful, funny, kind, articulate, and elegant. Our museum family will miss her forever.

Such a gift to the PMA, to the Philadelphia Arts community, and to all who enjoyed (the gift of) her presence, if only briefly. A gift to be cherished and long remembered, as we enjoy her legacy...the many gifts bestowed to all thru her talents...and thru these she is infinite.

I'm honored to have been acquainted with such a cool Lady!

So many beautiful sentiments have been expressed here and elsewhere about Ann d’Harnoncourt – by those who knew her well, and others who simply crossed paths with her at some point. I cannot claim to have been her friend or close colleague, but she made a very strong impression on me whenever we crossed paths. Over the past 5 years, my work has brought me to the PMA offices fairly frequently, and I occasionally saw Anne in passing. Her grace and warmth were ever-present, her presence as...

The staff of Pennsylvania Heritage extends its heartfelt condolences to Joe Rishel, the PMA family, and all those who enjoyed the good fortune of knowing Anne d'Harnoncourt. She will be sorely missed.
Although our paths intersected only infrequently, Anne was ever gracious and kind. I shall never forget her ebullience and enthusaism, paralleled by intellectual curiosity, enormous talent, and wit.
I last chatted with Anne during the wee hours of the Academy Ball on the dance...

What a sad loss. I first encountered Ms. d'Harnoncourt when I went to PMA for a gallery tour on modern art. I don't know if she was filling in for someone or if this was her regular tour but she was inspiring.

Years later, I met an elderly woman who had worked as a volunteer at the early beginnings of PMA. Ms. d'Harnoncourt wanted to interview my friend and came to tea with her then fiance, now husband. My friend told me that they could not keep their eyes off of each other and...

There was no greater friend in the museum world than Ann. Our friendship was a complicated one, but never was there more mutual warmth, support and admiration. My memories of shared birthday celebrations, casual dinners and yes, even the heated exchanges of views about the art museum world are things i will always treasure. She was unique in Philadelphia - understanding but never superificial, in her embrace of artists and of African Americans in a field that was seldom welcoming to either. ...

Dear Joe and the Philadelphia Museum family,

Today I read with shock and utter sadness of Anne's passing. I am still in disbelief...
As I look back, I think that Anne was perhaps the first art world 'major figure' whom I met, over 35 years ago, when I was just starting out as an art dealer. From that first encolunter she was ever the warm and gracious person I immediately respected and admired. I like to think that over the years we became closer - as friends. Just the other night...

What a tragedy and loss for us all! I met Anne and her husband Joe a few years ago on their many visits out to Chester CO to visit friends who we are lucky to have as neighbors.
What a lovely lady who will be surely missed. May God look over you.