A number of extremely valuable works of art, including one by the famous painter Georgia O’Keeffe, from a museum at Valparaiso University in Indiana, are being auctioned.
The school said it had to sell the artwork to pay for the dormitory renovation, but CBS News Chicago reported to a now-retired founding director who did everything he could to stop the sale.
Completed in 1930 by O’Keeffe, the artwork “Rust Red Hills” depicts the vibrant colors of the New Mexico landscape.
Valparaiso University
“It was a monumental painting,” said Richard Brauer, the retired director of the Brauer Museum of Art on the Valparaiso campus.
Brauer worked at the museum that bears his name from 1961 to 1997. In 1996, the museum was named after him.
At 97, Brauer remembers the works of art that made the museum famous.
“I wanted the best,” he said.
Brauer was part of the committee that acquired “Rust Red Hills” in 1962. It was purchased through the Percy H. Sloan Trust for $5,700.
“I was new to it and I didn’t realize that was a lot of money for us and our income,” he said.
Today, O’Keeffe’s “Rust Red Hills” is valued at $10.5 million to $15 million. Other works purchased through the trust include Childe Hassam’s “The Silver Veil and the Golden Gate.” In 1967, it cost $9,000. Today, it is valued at $1 million to $3.5 million.
Valparaiso University
Frederic E. Church’s “Mountain Landscape” is worth between $1 million and $3 million. Brauer said Sloan bought it in 1950 for $22 and the museum acquired it in 1953.
Valparaiso University plans to sell all three works to help fund the renovation of its freshman dormitories.
Valparaiso University
Brauer filed a lawsuit challenging the sale, claiming that the sale of the artwork would violate the trust and wishes of the late Percy H. Sloan.
“[Sloan] spent his life as an art teacher in the Chicago Public Schools,” Brauer said. “And so his goal was to use the collection to show students the joy of beauty in paintings and nature.”
A judge ruled that the sale could proceed.
“I see this as a precedent that can easily be recreated,” Brauer said.
In a statement, the university said: “We would like to thank Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and his staff for all their work in helping us find a resolution that allows the university to move forward with the sale of the artwork while respecting Mr. Sloan’s intent. We would also like to thank the Porter County Superior Court for their decision. This marks the successful completion of the extensive due diligence required for the sale of the artwork. At this time, a final timeline for the sale has not been determined. The artwork will be securely stored at an off-site facility until the sale is complete. Renovations to the dormitory will begin upon completion of the sale.
This has been a difficult decision, but we believe this path forward represents the best possible future for the Sloan Trust, our students, and our university as a whole.”
The museum closed in 2022 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and laid off staff. CBS News Chicago’s requests for comment were not returned. A call to the museum was answered with a voicemail that read: “Messages from media outlets seeking comment on the Brauer are not being returned.”
Brauer said that if the sale goes through, he wants his name removed from the museum. He said the artwork should remain on display for future generations to enjoy.
