Walter H. Annenberg

ANNENBERG-Walter H. The Trustees and staff of The Metropolitan Museum of Art mourn with profound sadness the passing of Walter H. Annenberg, who for more than four decades demonstrated on a breathtaking scale his passion for art and his support of this institution. With his wife, Leonore, he based his philanthropy at the Metropolitan on the understanding that great museum collections remain great by continuing to evolve and to grow. Through a series of landmark gestures-gifts of works of art from masterpieces by Van Gogh to masterpieces of Asian sculpture, along with major grants for acquisitions-they have enhanced the very heart of the Metropolitan Museum, its collections, for generations to come. Walter Annenberg was involved in countless other ways as well: as a Trustee and benefactor; as a committed supporter of education in the arts; and as the donor of a major challenge grant that has enabled the Museum to build a new Center for Imaging and Photography. But his most spectacular gesture was the decision in 1991 to bequeath his collection of fifty-three Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, watercolors, and drawings to the Museum, the largest single gift of art to the Metropolitan in more than a quarter century. Since 1993, this outstanding collection has been in residence at the Museum for six months of each year for all to enjoy. Walter's motto was ``strength to strength,'' and his legacy of sweeping generosity will be held dear by us and by the museum-going public in perpetuity. We extend our deepest condolences to Mrs. Annenberg and to the entire family. James R. Houghton, Chairman Philippe de Montebello, Director David E. McKinney, President