Chicago City Wire

The Art Institute of Chicago will present an exhibition titled "Contemporary Drawings from the Stenn Family Collection" from June 28 to September 15, 2025. This exhibition features a selection of 20th-century drawings donated by Irving Stenn Jr., a Chicago resident, which span five decades and include various artistic movements from around the world.

The exhibition will display approximately 80 works, focusing on contemporary artists associated with Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Minimalism, and Post-Minimalism. Among the artists featured are Joseph Albers, Sol LeWitt, and Barry Le Va. The collection also includes works by Russian avant-garde artists like Kazmir Malevich and Lyubov Sergeevna Popova, as well as Latin American artists such as Leon Ferrari and Hélio Oiticica.

Mark Pascale, Janet and Craig Duchossois Curator of Prints and Drawings at the Art Institute of Chicago, commented on the significance of the exhibition: “The show, highlighting this expansive gift, offers visitors a window into 20th-century art and gives them an opportunity to experience the work of pioneering artists in the primary act of drawing.” He expressed gratitude for the Stenn family's enthusiasm for art and their commitment to sharing their collection with museum visitors.

Irving Stenn began collecting art with his wife in 1971 to enhance their renovated Lincoln Park home. Despite lacking formal art training, they developed an appreciation for artworks that brought them closer together. Over time, they acquired significant pieces from post-World War II artists. After his wife's passing in 1999, Stenn expanded his knowledge about drawings with assistance from Art Institute curators. His collection now exceeds 200 works on paper.

In addition to drawings, over the past two decades, the Stenn family has donated more than 200 works including paintings and sculptures to the Art Institute. Sarah Stenn described building this collection as "a true labor of love," emphasizing her father's passion for 20th-century drawings and his partnership with the Art Institute's Prints and Drawings department.

This exhibition marks a celebration of their most recent donation in 2023—a significant contribution consisting of 100 prints and drawings—considered one of the most important gifts in museum history. Sarah Stenn remarked on her father's belief that art should be accessible to all through public museums like the Art Institute: “Our family is especially thrilled that this gift will provide visitors with the opportunity to see and experience the Stenn Family Collection for the first time.”

Curated by Mark Pascale alongside Felipe Villada Ruiz, senior research associate for Prints and Drawings at the museum, "Contemporary Drawings from the Stenn Family Collection" promises an enriching exploration into modern artistic expressions.