SPANIERMAN--Ira. Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Ira Spanierman died on July 10, 2019, after a courageous battle with heart and lung illness. He was 90 years old. Ira is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, the former Helen Fraser, whom he married in 1958, and by their sons, David, born 1960 and Gavin, born 1965; his son, Jonathan, born in 1963 predeceased him in 1997. Ira attended the Hun School in Princeton, NJ, and studied for two years at Syracuse University. Ira was the son of Sam and Pauline Spanierman. In 1928 Sam founded the Savoy Auction Galleries, long located on 59th Street at Fifth Avenue. Ira began to work with his father in 1950, often serving as auctioneer. In 1961, he opened his own gallery at 1109 Lexington Avenue, specializing in American painting and sculpture especially of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Gallery moved to larger quarters at 50 East 78th Street in 1966, and in 1994 relocated to East 58th Street. Ira expanded the space in 2006, opening Spanierman Modern. Ira retired and closed the Gallery in 2014. Ira was one of the most prominent and respected dealers in historical American art; he was a member of the Art and Antique Dealers Association, The Appraisers Association of America, The Confederation Internationale des Negociants en Oeuvres d'Art, the Association of Historians of American Art (AHAA), and the Thomas Cole Foundation. Underlying his dedication to promoting the America's artistic heritage was a profound love of the paintings that moved through the gallery, simply for their beauty - of which he was a keen judge - whatever the market of the moment might value them. Ira is especially to be honored for the support he gave to American art scholarship, undertaking the catalogue raisonnes of John Twachtman, Theodore Robinson, and Willard Metcalf, and publishing the comprehensive record of the work of Winslow Homer. Ira's fine "eye" was not limited to appreciation of American art; he probably attracted the most celebrity for his discovery, acquisition, and eventual sale of a major portrait by Raphael. Ira provided opportunities to the many people who worked for him in sales and research over the years. His dedication to American art was demonstrated in his invariable generosity to scholars and researchers in the field, a contribution that leaves no tangible record, but is remembered by friends, peers and associates in the field of American Art History. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 24th, 2019 at 11:30am at Frank E. Campbell "The Funeral Chapel" 1076 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10028.

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Published by New York Times on Jul. 21, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for IRA SPANIERMAN

5 Entries

Robin Zendell

Planted Trees

July 31, 2019

On Behalf of the American Art Department and its curators, past and present, we offer our deepest condolences. Mr. Spanierman's expertise and contributions to the field will live on in the fine art he closely studied and admired.
Sincerely, Erin Monroe, Associate Curator of American Art, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, CT

Jorge Santis

July 22, 2019

During my tenure as museum curator, in Fort Lauderdale, I had the pleasure of meeting many noted people in the arts, but one of the few that impressed me greatly, was Ira Spanierman. He was distinguished, urbane, outspoken. Furthermore, his knowledge of 19th-20th Century art was boundless. He will be missed by researchers, scholars and curators, all over our nation. May his soul rest in peace.

Ron cayen

July 22, 2019

Ira was very kind to me when I first started out in the art World .So few left from his generation that I learned so much from . RIP Ira . Ron Cayen

Katrina Thompson

July 21, 2019

As a former Archivist, Auction Liaison, and finally Sales Associate for Ira Spanierman, I can attest for his appreciation of fine art. He was one among my early career who seemed to encourage my own passion for art. He had the dealer's curse, and loved to buy more than sell - a sign of a true art connoisseur. Most importantly to me, he recognized my own drive and ambition, and placed me in roles where I would be exposed to the art market at large. I appreciated those moments of tutelage and his generosity in sharing his eye for technique in painting when scouring over an auction catalogue. Ira encouraged me to start buying drawings by the old masters even during those broke years living in New York City at the start of my career. I think he saw great things ahead for me, and I will always appreciate that generosity. In hindsight, these employers or patrons, if you will, are few and far between.

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