Christian Humann Foundation Makes Million-Dollar Gift in Support of Asian Art

right Francis Humann (87C) and his son, Philipp (23C) (middle back) gather with Provost Ravi Bellamkonda (left) and others at the celebration of the renovated Asian gallery.

far right Christian

Humann. Photo courtesy of the Christian Humann Foundation.

“On behalf of the Christian Humann Foundation, we are delighted to carry on my uncle's legacy in supporting important Asian art collections, such as the one at the Carlos.” —Francis Humann “The spiritual inspiration of the nameless sculptors represented here imbues their work with an imposing presence and a contemplative as well as physical vitality. But it is probably those figures in which a deity’s compassion is most lovingly expressed that will generate the greatest enjoyment. And is that not as it should be, since in the final analysis love and compassion are what religion is all about.”

In december of 2021, Emory alumnus and member of the museum's National Leadership Board Francis Humann (87C) announced that his family's foundation would make a milliondollar gift to support Asian art at the Carlos. To celebrate this extraordinary gift, the museum's Asian art gallery will be named The Christian Humann Foundation Gallery of Asian Art in honor of Francis's uncle who, before his untimely death in 1981, built one of the country's finest collections of Asian art, now dispersed.

The gift will be given in increments of $200,000 over five years. The establishment of this endowment will contribute significantly to the growth and care of the collections, to university teaching and research, and to a dynamic calendar of exhibitions and educational programs that will ensure the Carlos Museum thrives as a vibrant center for the study of Asian art and culture.

The Humann Foundation has been a longstanding supporter of the Carlos Museum, funding a variety of initiatives from chamber music concerts to university courses and student-curated exhibitions on topics in Asian art to the splendid renovation of the Asian gallery. Z

—Christian Humann, from the catalog preface to The Sensuous Immortals exhibition of his collection, LACMA 1977.