By Kathleen Reid
Tom and Jordan Saunders’ exquisite collection of European paintings and decorative art objects debuted at VMFA this spring. Featuring works by “Old World masters” such as Jan Bruegel the Younger, Canaletto, Francesco Guardi, Peter Paul Rubens, Hubert Robert, Pierre-Jacques Volaire, and others, Elegance and Wonder: Masterpieces of European Art from the Jordan and Thomas A. Saunders III Collection is a stunning installation of more than 80 works of art. Dr. Sylvain Cordier, Paul Mellon Curator and the Head of the Department of European Art, gives an insider’s view of the exhibition’s development in the midst of the pandemic.
“Tom and Jordan Saunders’ private collection was a subject of conversation during my interview process for the position,” explains Dr. Cordier. Two weeks after his arrival at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in November 2019, Sylvain made an initial trip to New York City with Director and Chief Executive Officer Alex Nyerges and Dr. Michael Taylor, Chief Curator and Deputy Director for Art and Education. Recalling this memorable trip, he says, “I’ve been fortunate enough to see the Queen of England’s private apartments in my career; the second spectacular place was the Saunders’ home.”
The interior of the Saunders’ elegant apartment revealed a grand staircase adjacent to a study. When Sylvain walked into this ‘smoking room,’ he encountered a young noblewoman in a red dress. Nicholas de Largillière’s Portrait of Jeanne-Marie de Sacconin de Pravieux is a personal favorite of Jordan Saunders. Captivated by Jeanne-Marie’s bold stare, Sylvain was also struck by how the portrait shined in its dramatic setting above a red sofa set against black lacquered walls.
His second encounter with the Saunders’ magnificent art collection involved a week-long stay in New York when he and his team inventoried and reported on the condition of each painting. Despite the pandemic, he recalls that week as a wonderful experience and wildly exciting for a curator.
It’s important to keep in mind that this type of exhibition is generally two to three years in the making. In the case of the Saunders’ collection, Sylvain and the VMFA team had exactly five months to pull everything together. He says, “This short time frame was fascinating. In many ways, it made it easy. We lived in a ‘tunnel’ for that time, making things happen. I would say, we had many ‘happy accidents,’ especially when thinking about different ways to create pertinent dialogues between the Saunders’ artworks and other pieces from VMFA’s permanent collection. I realized that several paintings that have been in our collection for decades has been seen, and likely even may have inspired a few of the artists that the Saunders collection, or were made in very comparable contexts. As a result of this, I opted for including a limited number of these connections coming from our VMFA paintings—artists like Rubens, Watteau, Boilly, Guardi or Volaire—in order to serve as useful companions to the Saunders pieces.”
“This exhibition brings our presentation of European art to a completely next level. Tom and Jordan Saunders are both art lovers and philanthropists,” says Sylvain. The collection is extraordinary, including some of the greatest artists from the age of Baroque: Reubens, Frans Haus along with French and Dutch art. Works from 18th century Rococo European Art to Neoclassicism are prominently presented. The collection includes five paintings by Francesco Lazzaro Guardi, one of the most outstanding Venetian landscape painters of the Rococo period.
One of the most prominent portrait painters of the late Baroque period was Nicholas de Largillière, who trained in Belgium and also worked as a Court painter in England. His presumed portrait of Jeanne-Marie de Sacconin, a young noblewoman, captivates the viewer with an eye-catching red dress and bold stance. Jeanne-Marie, Sylvain explains, was born in 1700 and married around the age of 22. He notes, “The Saunders’ Largillière is an iconic example of what was known in the 17th and 18th centuries as “portrait historié” (historicized portrait); the sitter contracted the painter to be portrayed as a mythical or historical figure. In this case, it was very popular for women to be represented as Diana, the Goddess of the Hunt or the Virgin Goddess.” This portrait of Jeanne-Marie as Diana portrayed her as a charismatic, independent figure. It also served to depict her as a woman in a more powerful light, respecting their individuality apart from men.
Sylvain says, “I’m so happy to show this painting to the public. It’s a fantastic lesson in art history for that complex but fascinating moment called ‘the Baroque’. I am drawn to the self-assured and confident expression of the sitter, and I wish it will inspire many young girls – and boys – to trust themselves and affirm their own personalities the same way she is doing it in the painting.”
Perhaps Sylvain’s favorite painting of the entire collection is Roman Palace Burning (1767) by Pierre-Jacques Volaire. This painting originally hung in the Saunders’ dining room set against elegant red damask walls. Sylvain explains, “I was fascinated by the concept of artistic consequences. We had an 18th century artist who created a painting that reflected our common roots. He went back to the beginning of European culture and a shared heritage.” The scene also features contemporary elements combined with real and imaginary architecture.
The Elegance and Wonder installation is a must-see for Canvas members! Sylvain reflects on how important it was for the Saunders to offer this opportunity to the people of Virginia. Both Jordan and Tom were born in Virginia, so their southern roots brought them home to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. He concludes, “This collection is immense and exceptional. It is inspirational. And what an honor for a curator to be invited to work with so many masterpieces!”
Kathleen Reid is the Communications Chair for the Canvas Advisory Committee. A former VMFA tour guide turned novelist, Kathleen loves sharing her passion for art history with visitors and readers. Secrets in the Palazzo (2022), a sequel to her award-winning novel Sunrise in Florence (2019), arrives online and in bookstores this month.
IMAGES Dr. Sylvain Cordier, Paul Mellon Curator and Head of the Department of European Art; Portrait of Jeanne-Marie de Sacconin de Pravieux, Wife of Francois Dulieu, Seigneur de Chenevoux, as Diana, c. 1715–20, Nicholas de Largilliere (French, 1656–1746), oil on canvas. Jordan and Thomas Saunders III Collection, L2020.6.21