In the early 20th century, antiquities were considered vital to the collections in an art museum. Alma de Bretteville Spreckels, foundress of the Legion of Honor, was well aware of that, and the museum’s display of ancient art grew with gifts from her friends and family. Join us for a lecture with Renée Dreyfus, George and Judy Marcus Distinguished Curator and Curator in Charge of Ancient Art, to explore how the Legion of Honor’s substantial collection from the ancient world came to be.

Watch the livestream

About the curator

Dr. Renée Dreyfus is the George and Judy Marcus Distinguished Curator and Curator in Charge of Ancient Art at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. In 1997, she cofounded the Ancient Art Council to support antiquities at the Museums. Under her aegis, the department has thrived. She has curated and organized over twenty exhibitions, including Treasures of Tutankhamun (1979) and Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs (2009). She has also enhanced the Museums’ ancient art collection with superb examples of Egyptian, Near Eastern, Classical, and Islamic works of art.

About the “A Closer Look” series

This program is part of our “A Closer Look” series, a new curatorial lecture series exploring both the development of the Museums’ distinct collections and their art historical significance. Beginning at the Legion of Honor and expanding to the de Young soon, the series features in-depth presentations that highlight collection gems while demystifying creative practices that span thousands of years. 

Ticket info

Free program. First come, first served. Seating is limited and unassigned. Doors open thirty minutes before the start of the program. 

Contact info

Public Programs
publicprograms@famsf.org
415.750.7694