By Anne Leader
Art collector and banker Philip Lehman died on 21 March 1947. While director of Lehman Brothers (closed 2008), Philip Lehman began collecting Italian Renaissance art. He was particularly active in his acquisitions between 1914 and 1920. Esteemed connoisseur and advisor to numerous collectors Bernard Berenson was one of his good friends. Philip’s son Robert published a catalog of his father’s collection in 1928. In that year he succeeded his father as head of the family investment firm and moved its offices to a neo-Renaissance building on William Street in Manhattan. Robert continued to collect art like his father and donated their combined collection of over 1,000 artworks to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is housed in a specially built wing of the museum.
Reference: Laurence B. Kanter and Patrick Le Chanu. “Lehman.” Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. Oxford University Press.
Roman, Crouching Lion, bronze, ca. 5th–3rd century B.C.E.. Acquired by Philip Lehman through Kelekian in October 1913. New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Robert Lehman Collection, 1975.
Venetian artist, Candlestick in the form of a putto, bronze, ca. 1600 or later. Acquired by Philip Lehman through Duveen in December 1920. New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Robert Lehman Collection, 1975.
Giovanni di Tano Fei, The Coronation of the Virgin, and Saints, 1394, tempera and gold on panel. Acquired by Philip Lehman by 1928. New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Robert Lehman Collection, 1975.
Umbrian carpenter, Cabinet, ca. 1400 (rebuilt 20th century), walnut and iron. Acquired by Philip Lehman through Kleinberger Galleries in July 1920. New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Robert Lehman Collection, 1975.
Simone Martini, Saint Ansanus, ca. 1326, tempera on wood, gold ground. Acquired by Philip Lehman in 1916. New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Robert Lehman Collection, 1975.
Niccolò di Buonaccorso, Coronation of the Virgin, ca. 1380, poplar. Mitered. Gilt; brown-orange bole. Acquired by Philip Lehman 1914. New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Robert Lehman Collection, 1975.
Central Italian carpenter, Cassone, second half of the 16th century (rebuilt, with replacements), walnut, partially carved, traces of gilding and polychrome; iron hardware. Acquired by Philip Lehman, by 1943. New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Robert Lehman Collection, 1975.
Bartolomeo Vivarini, Death of the Virgin, 1485, tempera on panel. Acquired by Philip Lehman, New York (until 1925; sold half share to Duveen); Philip Lehman, New York, and Duveen, Paris, London, and New York (1925–at least 1931); Philip Lehman, New York until 1947. New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Robert Lehman, 1950.
Dantesca type Hip-Joint Armchair, 15th or 16th century, walnut, carved; embroidery, silk velvet, metal. Acquired by Philip Lehman through Duveen from the Volpi sale. New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Robert Lehman Collection, 1975.