Art History News: The Leonard A. Lauder Cubist Collection

Now on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, a display of nearly 40 works of Cubist art honors the extraordinary life and legacy of Leonard A. Lauder (1933–2025), one of the Museum’s greatest patrons and champions. The Leonard A. Lauder Cubist Collection, which was promised to the Museum in 2013, has been fully accessioned into The Met collection this year. Distinguished by its quality, focus, and depth, the collection is unsurpassed in its number of paintings, sculptures, collages, and works on paper critical to the development of Cubism.

The three-room installation in the Museum’s European Painting and Sculpture Galleries presents a significant selection of paintings and sculptures of the four pioneering Cubists—Georges Braque, Juan Gris, Fernand Leger, and Pablo Picasso—placing them in dialogue with one another. It also offers visitors the opportunity to make connections between Cezanne, whose works are on view in the adjacent room, and the birth of Cubism.

Lauder was a visionary philanthropist and collector who, throughout his life, combined a love of art with a deep commitment to nourishing the legacy of public institutions. His belief that art should be shared with the widest possible audience shaped his decades-long relationship with The Met and prompted his transformative gift of over 90 works to the institution. The Leonard A. Lauder Cubist Collection includes paintings, sculptures, and works on paper encompassing some of the most revolutionary works of the 20th century.

“Avid and inquisitive with a keen eye, Lauder developed an exceptional connoisseurship that led him to assemble one of the most outstanding collections of early 20th-century art in private hands,” said Max Hollein, The Met’s Marina Kellen French Director and CEO. “His extraordinary gift to The Met of over 90 Cubist masterworks has solidified the Museum’s status as a major center for the study of modern art. We are honored by the opportunity to share these incredible works of art with the public and look forward to highlighting the collection in the Museum’s Tang Wing for Modern and Contemporary Art, opening in 2030, and continuing the important scholarly and collaborative work of the Leonard A. Lauder Research Center for Modern Art, established by Mr. Lauder and a group of Met Trustees.”

Leonard Lauder’s dedication to collecting began in childhood—with picture postcards—and expanded over time to include art posters, 19th- and 20th-century works on paper, especially those of Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt, and, ultimately, the masterworks of Cubism, which he began collecting in 1980. In every genre he pursued, Lauder combined intellectual curiosity with a discerning eye and an abiding respect for scholarship. Lauder’s particular passion was Cubism, which he called “the great movement that changed Western art forever.” His first Cubist artwork, Pablo Picasso’s Carafe and Candlestick (1909), marked the beginning of a lifelong focus on the movement’s foundational years. By the mid-1980s, he had refined his collecting scope to four artists central to the development of Cubism: Georges Braque, Juan Gris, Fernand Léger, and Pablo Picasso. Gifts of his unparalleled collections, matched only by his incredible generosity, have forever changed the holdings of many museums in the United States.

Lauder’s legacy at The Met reflects his philanthropic spirit and passion for the arts and art institutions. Over four decades, he supported the Museum through major gifts of art and the endowment of curatorial positions, as well as contributions to conservation, curatorial research, and publications. Mr. Lauder also donated to The Met a collection of over 500 19th-century American literary posters and important works of contemporary American art.

IMAGES - The Leonard A. Lauder Cubist Collection

Three Nudes, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Gouache, ink, watercolor, and charcoal on paper — Three Nudes
Pablo Picasso
Gósol, summer 1906

Standing Female Nude, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Brush and black ink and opaque watercolor on paper — Standing Female Nude
Pablo Picasso
Paris, winter 1906–7

Nude with Raised Arm and Drapery (Study for "Les demoiselles d'Avignon"), Pablo Picasso Spanish, Oil on canvas — Nude with Raised Arm and Drapery (Study for "Les demoiselles d'Avignon")
Pablo Picasso
Paris, spring–summer 1907

The Terrace at the Hôtel Mistral, Georges Braque French, Oil on canvas — The Terrace at the Hôtel Mistral
Georges Braque
L'Estaque and Paris, autumn 1907

Head of a Woman (Study for "Nude with Drapery"), Pablo Picasso Spanish, Gouache and watercolor on tan wove paper; subsequently mounted to panel — Head of a Woman (Study for "Nude with Drapery")
Pablo Picasso
Paris, 1907

Landscape, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Gouache and charcoal on paper — Landscape
Pablo Picasso
Paris, spring 1908

Trees at L'Estaque, Georges Braque French, Oil on canvas — Trees at L'Estaque
Georges Braque
L'Estaque, summer 1908

Seated Female Nude, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Oil on canvas — Seated Female Nude
Pablo Picasso
Winter 1908

Head of a Man, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Ink and charcoal on white laid paper — Head of a Man
Pablo Picasso
Paris, late 1908

Study for Carnaval au Bistrot, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Pencil and watercolor on paper — Study for Carnaval au Bistrot
Pablo Picasso
1908

Mandolin and Fruit Dish, Georges Braque French, Oil on canvas — Mandolin and Fruit Dish
Georges Braque
Paris, early 1909

The Chocolate Pot, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Watercolor and opaque watercolor with traces of charcoal on paper — The Chocolate Pot
Pablo Picasso
Paris, early 1909

Nude Woman with Guitar, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Charcoal on primed canvas — Nude Woman with Guitar
Pablo Picasso
Paris, spring 1909

Woman with a Book, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Oil on canvas — Woman with a Book
Pablo Picasso
Paris, spring 1909

Two Nudes, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Oil on canvas — Two Nudes
Pablo Picasso
Paris, spring 1909

The Castle of La Roche-Guyon, Georges Braque French, Oil on canvas — The Castle of La Roche-Guyon
Georges Braque
La Roche-Guyon, summer 1909

The Oil Mill, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Oil on canvas — The Oil Mill
Pablo Picasso
Horta de Ebro (present-day Horta de Sant Joan), summer 1909

Nude in an Armchair, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Oil on canvas — Nude in an Armchair
Pablo Picasso
Horta de Ebro (present-day Horta de Sant Joan), summer 1909

Sugar Bowl and Fan, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Watercolor on paper — Sugar Bowl and Fan
Pablo Picasso
Paris, autumn 1909

Carafe and Candlestick, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Oil on canvas — Carafe and Candlestick
Pablo Picasso
Paris, autumn 1909

Head of a Woman (Fernande), Pablo Picasso Spanish, Bronze — Head of a Woman (Fernande)
Pablo Picasso
Clay original: Paris, autumn 1909; Plaster model: Paris, late 1910; Bronze cast: Foundry Désiré or Florentin Godard, Paris, made to order for Ambroise Vollard between July 27, 1926, and March 11, 1927

Still Life with Metronome (Still Life with Mandola and Metronome), Georges Braque French, Oil on canvas — Still Life with Metronome (Still Life with Mandola and Metronome)
Georges Braque
Paris, late 1909

Standing Female Nude, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Pen and ink on paper — Standing Female Nude
Pablo Picasso
Cadaqués, summer 1910

The Eiffel Tower and Curtain, Robert Delaunay French, Lithograph crayon on brown paper — The Eiffel Tower and Curtain
Robert Delaunay
1910

Pedestal Table, Glasses, Cups, Mandolin, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Oil on canvas — Pedestal Table, Glasses, Cups, Mandolin
Pablo Picasso
Paris, spring 1911

La Tour simultanée [Simultaneous Views of the Tower], Robert Delaunay French, Gouache, pen and India ink and brown ink, colored pencils over pencil on parchment — La Tour simultanée [Simultaneous Views of the Tower]
Robert Delaunay
1910–11

Still Life with Clarinet (Bottle and Clarinet), Georges Braque French, Oil on canvas — Still Life with Clarinet (Bottle and Clarinet)
Georges Braque
Céret, summer–autumn 1911

Still Life with Fan: "L'Indépendant", Pablo Picasso Spanish, Oil on canvas — Still Life with Fan: "L'Indépendant"
Pablo Picasso
Céret, summer 1911

Still Life with Dice, Georges Braque French, Charcoal on paper — Still Life with Dice
Georges Braque
Paris, summer 1911

Chess, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Oil on canvas — Chess
Pablo Picasso
Paris, autumn 1911

Houses in Paris, Place Ravignan, Juan Gris Spanish, Black chalk and gouache on white laid paper — Houses in Paris, Place Ravignan
Juan Gris
Paris, 1911

Houses in Paris, Place Ravignan, Juan Gris Spanish, Oil on canvas — Houses in Paris, Place Ravignan
Juan Gris
Paris, 1911, possibly 1912

Violin: "Mozart Kubelick", Georges Braque French, Oil on canvas — Violin: "Mozart Kubelick"
Georges Braque
Paris, spring 1912

Bottle of Marc Vieux, Georges Braque French, Oil and charcoal on canvas — Bottle of Marc Vieux
Georges Braque
1912

The Scallop Shell: "Notre Avenir est dans l'Air", Pablo Picasso Spanish, Enamel and oil on canvas — The Scallop Shell: "Notre Avenir est dans l'Air"
Pablo Picasso
Paris, spring 1912

The Fruit Dish, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Oil on canvas — The Fruit Dish
Pablo Picasso
Céret, spring 1912

Standing Woman, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Pen and black ink, oiled charcoal, and opaque watercolor on two sheets of paper — Standing Woman
Pablo Picasso
Sorgues, summer 1912

Fruit Dish and Glass, Georges Braque French, Charcoal and cut-and-pasted printed wallpaper with gouache on paper; mounted on paperboard — Fruit Dish and Glass
Georges Braque
Sorgues, autumn 1912

Head of a Woman, Georges Braque French, Charcoal and cut-and-pasted printed wallpaper with gouache on paper — Head of a Woman
Georges Braque
Sorgues, autumn 1912

Head of a Woman (Portrait of the Artist's Mother), Juan Gris Spanish, Oil on canvas — Head of a Woman (Portrait of the Artist's Mother)
Juan Gris
Paris, 1912

Composition (Study for "Nude Model in the Studio"), Fernand Léger French, Oil paint, opaque watercolor, and ink over graphite on brown paper — Composition (Study for "Nude Model in the Studio")
Fernand Léger
1912

Head of a Man, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Charcoal, watercolor, cut-and-pasted newspaper, and gray laid paper on white laid paper — Head of a Man
Pablo Picasso
Paris, 1912

Composition with Violin, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Charcoal, graphite, cut and pasted found printed paper, and black ink on paper, mounted on board — Composition with Violin
Pablo Picasso
Paris, 1912

Violin and Sheet Music: "Petit Oiseau", Georges Braque French, Oil and charcoal on canvas — Violin and Sheet Music: "Petit Oiseau"
Georges Braque
Paris, early 1913

Bottle, Glasses, and Newspapers, Georges Braque French, Oil on canvas — Bottle, Glasses, and Newspapers
Georges Braque
Paris, early 1913

Houses under the Trees, Fernand Léger French, Oil on canvas — Houses under the Trees
Fernand Léger
1913

Drawing for "The Staircase", Fernand Léger French, Gouache and oil paint on paper — Drawing for "The Staircase"
Fernand Léger
1913

Still Life, Fernand Léger French, Opaque watercolor on paper — Still Life
Fernand Léger
1913

Violin and Engraving, Juan Gris Spanish, Oil, sand, collage on canvas — Violin and Engraving
Juan Gris
1913

Pears and Grapes on a Table, Juan Gris Spanish, Oil on canvas — Pears and Grapes on a Table
Juan Gris
Céret, autumn 1913

Head of a Man with a Mustache, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Brush and black ink, charcoal, and graphite on newspaper — Head of a Man with a Mustache
Pablo Picasso
1913

Woman in a Chemise in an Armchair, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Oil on canvas — Woman in a Chemise in an Armchair
Pablo Picasso
Paris, late 1913–early 1914

Still Life on a Table: "Duo pour flûte", Georges Braque French, Oil on canvas — Still Life on a Table: "Duo pour flûte"
Georges Braque
1913–14

Student with a Newspaper, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Plaster, oil, Conté crayon, and sand on canvas — Student with a Newspaper
Pablo Picasso
Paris, late 1913–early 1914

Notebook No. 26 (Study of Violins and Musical Instruments), Pablo Picasso Spanish, Ink and graphite on perforated paper sheets bound in a notebook — Notebook No. 26 (Study of Violins and Musical Instruments)
Pablo Picasso
ca. 1913–16

Still Life: "2ᵉ étude", Georges Braque French, Oil, charcoal, and sand on unprimed canvas — Still Life: "2ᵉ étude"
Georges Braque
Paris, early 1914

Bottle, Glass, and Pipe (Violette de Parme), Georges Braque French, Cut-and-pasted newspaper, painted paper and wallpaper, charcoal, graphite, and gouache on paperboard — Bottle, Glass, and Pipe (Violette de Parme)
Georges Braque
Paris, early 1914

Bottle, Glass, and Newspaper, Georges Braque French, Cut and pasted found printed newspapers and wallpaper, charcoal, and gesso on board — Bottle, Glass, and Newspaper
Georges Braque
Paris, early 1914

Bottle of Rum, Georges Braque French, Oil on canvas — Bottle of Rum
Georges Braque
Paris, spring 1914

The Man at the Café, Juan Gris Spanish, Oil and newsprint collage on canvas — The Man at the Café
Juan Gris
Paris, winter–spring 1914

Book and Glass, Juan Gris Spanish, Collage of cut printed and painted papers, blue paper and tracing paper, with black and blue-green crayon, charcoal and and black oil paint on canvas, mounted to a honeycomb panel — Book and Glass
Juan Gris
Paris, spring 1914

The Musician’s Table, Juan Gris Spanish, Conté crayon, wax crayon, gouache, cut-and-pasted printed wallpaper, blue and white laid papers, transparentized paper, newspaper, and brown wrapping paper; selectively varnished on canvas — The Musician’s Table
Juan Gris
1914

Bottle of Bass and Glass, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Enamel and oil on canvas — Bottle of Bass and Glass
Pablo Picasso
Paris, spring 1914

The Absinthe Glass, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Painted bronze and perforated tin absinthe spoon — The Absinthe Glass
Pablo Picasso
Wax original: Paris, spring 1914; Bronze cast: Foundry Florentin Godard, Paris, made to order for Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler by April 16, 1914

Man Leaning on a Table with Playing Cards, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Graphite on paper — Man Leaning on a Table with Playing Cards
Pablo Picasso
Avignon, summer 1914

Bearded Man Playing Guitar, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Graphite, watercolor, and opaque watercolor on paper, mounted to board — Bearded Man Playing Guitar
Pablo Picasso
Avignon, summer 1914

Playing Cards, Glasses, Bottle of Rum: "Vive la France", Pablo Picasso Spanish, Oil and sand on canvas — Playing Cards, Glasses, Bottle of Rum: "Vive la France"
Pablo Picasso
1914–15

Flowers, Juan Gris Spanish, Collage of cut printed and painted papers with black crayon, black, blue and white matte opaque paints on canvas, mounted to a honeycomb panel — Flowers
Juan Gris
Paris, spring–summer 1914

Cup, Glasses, and Bottle (Le Journal), Juan Gris Spanish, Conté crayon, gouache, oil, cut-and-pasted newspaper, white laid paper, printed wallpaper (three types), selectively varnished; adhered overall onto a sheet of newspaper, mounted to primed canvas — Cup, Glasses, and Bottle (Le Journal)
Juan Gris
Paris, spring–summer 1914

The Bottle, Juan Gris Spanish, Conté crayon, wax crayon, gouache, watercolor, cut-and-pasted newspaper, printed wallpaper (two types), white, brown, and tan wove cut papers; adhered overall onto newspaper, mounted to primed canvas — The Bottle
Juan Gris
Paris, spring–summer 1914

Bottle of Rosé Wine, Juan Gris Spanish, Collage of cut printed and painted papers with black and green crayon, charcoal, white, black and dark green opaque matte paints and selectively applied glaze, mounted on canvas — Bottle of Rosé Wine
Juan Gris
Paris, 1914

The Smoker, Fernand Léger French, Oil on canvas — The Smoker
Fernand Léger
1914

The Village, Fernand Léger French, Oil on canvas — The Village
Fernand Léger
1914

Still Life with Checked Tablecloth, Juan Gris Spanish, Oil and graphite on canvas — Still Life with Checked Tablecloth
Juan Gris
Paris, spring 1915

Checkerboard and Playing Cards, Juan Gris Spanish, Opaque watercolor, graphite, and resin on cream-colored wove paper, mounted to paperboard — Checkerboard and Playing Cards
Juan Gris
Paris, 1915

The Fruit Bowl, Juan Gris Spanish, Graphite, wax crayon, and opaque watercolor on blue paperboard — The Fruit Bowl
Juan Gris
Paris, 1915–16

Man with a Guitar, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Watercolor, opaque watercolor, resin, and graphite on paper — Man with a Guitar
Pablo Picasso
Paris, 1915–16

Seated Man, Pablo Picasso Spanish, Watercolor and opaque watercolor on paper — Seated Man
Pablo Picasso
Paris, 1915–16

Portrait of Mme Cézanne after Cézanne (recto); Caricatures (verso), Juan Gris Spanish, Graphite on paper (recto); graphite on paper (verso) — Portrait of Mme Cézanne after Cézanne (recto); Caricatures (verso)
Juan Gris
Beaulieu (present-day Beaulieu-les-Loches), 1916

Drawing for "The Card Game", Fernand Léger French, Brush and ink and graphite on paper, mounted on board — Drawing for "The Card Game"
Fernand Léger
1917

Still Life (The Tobacco Pouch), Juan Gris Spanish, Graphite on off-white laid paper — Still Life (The Tobacco Pouch)
Juan Gris
Beaulieu (present-day Beaulieu-les-Loches), 1918

The Tugboat (recto); Related sketch (verso), Fernand Léger French, Ink, watercolor, and graphite, and opaque watercolor on paper (recto); graphite on paper (verso) — The Tugboat (recto); Related sketch (verso)
Fernand Léger
1918

Sketch for "The Acrobats in the Circus", Fernand Léger French, Oil on canvas — Sketch for "The Acrobats in the Circus"
Fernand Léger
1918

Composition (The Typographer), Fernand Léger French, Oil on canvas — Composition (The Typographer)
Fernand Léger
1918–19

Two Figures with Dog, Fernand Léger French, Ink on white wove paper — Two Figures with Dog
Fernand Léger
1920

Study for "The Aviator", Fernand Léger French, Brush and black ink and watercolor over graphite on paper — Study for "The Aviator"
Fernand Léger
1920

Three Women, Fernand Léger French, Graphite on paper — Three Women
Fernand Léger
1920

Horse, Raymond Duchamp-Villon French, Bronze — Horse
Raymond Duchamp-Villon
1914; probably cast 1921

The Siesta, Fernand Léger French, Graphite on paper — The Siesta
Fernand Léger
1922

Two Figures in the City, Fernand Léger French, Graphite on tan wove paper — Two Figures in the City
Fernand Léger
1924

Untitled (Juan Gris Series, Le Soir)
Joseph Cornell
1953–54

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

The Leonard A. Lauder Cubist Collection