The Ringling Magazine | May – September 2018

Edme Bouchardon (Chaumont-en-Bassigny, 1698-1762), Visigoths Attacking Clovis as He Kills Alaric (detail). Red chalk on cream antique laid paper, framing lines in red chalk. The Horvitz Collection.

5401 Bay Shore Road

Sarasota, FL 34243

941.359.5700 ringling.org

Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums

GOVERNOR

The Honorable Rick Scott

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

John E. Thrasher President

Dr. Sally E. McRorie Provost

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Steven High

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Paul G. Hudson, Chair

Nancy J. Parrish, Vice Chair

Frances D. Fergusson, Treasurer

Daniel J. Denton, Secretary

Ellen S. Berman

Madeleine H. Berman

Thomas J. Charters

Rebecca Donelson

Kenneth J. Feld

Darrel E. Flanel

Jeffrey R. Hotchkiss

Robert D. Hunter

Thomas F. Icard, Jr.

Dorothy C. Jenkins

Thomas W. Jennings, Jr.

James A. Joseph

Nancy Kotler

Patricia R. Lombard

Thomas B. Luzier

Lisa A. Merritt

Tina Shao Napoli

Sarah H. Pappas

Michael R. Pender

Margaret A. Rolando

Ina L. Schnell

Judith F. Shank

Javi Suarez

Edward M. Swan, Jr.

Howard C. Tibbals

Larry A. Wickless

EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS

David L. Emison, Chair, Volunteer Services Advisory Council

Wilmer Pearson, Chair, Docent Advisory Council

Elizabeth Dimmitt, Community Representative to the Board

ISSN 2165-4085

This March, The Ringling entered the public phase of the ambitious campaign The Ringling Inspires: Honoring the Legacy and Building for the Future. The campaign began seven years ago and as this issue goes to print, we have raised $92 million toward our $100 million goal.

This historic goal will accomplish many things. It will provide and preserve great facilities, it will strengthen our collections, and it will generate new scholarship and innovative programming to make sure The Ringling is a place where everyone knows they belong.

You can learn more about the amazing work that is being done surrounding the campaign in our insert. But the goals of The Ringling Inspires are intrinsic to our institution and permeate nearly everything we do.

I am excited to share that visitors to the museum this season will have the opportunity to see important old masters from our permanent collection that have not been on view for many years, as several favorites from the galleries are traveling to Miami and Orlando for our touring exhibition Dangerous Women. In the Monda Gallery for Contemporary Art guests will experience Ezra Masch’s genre bending and interactive piece, VOLUMES. In this issue you can read about how we will be giving our iconic bronze replica of Michelangelo’s David a “bath” later this summer in order to remove natural corrosion and preserve his finish. As always, The Ringling continues to engage the next generation of art lovers, inviting families to numerous programs throughout the summer.

These exhibitions, projects, and programs are made possible by your membership. Your support and enthusiasm for this institution allow us to continue to create unique visitor experiences while preserving the important legacy of John and Mable Ringling.

Steven High Executive Director

The Ringling's 2017-2018 programming season is supported in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues.

Il Padovanino (Italian, 1588 - 1649), Dejanira and the Centaur Nessus (detail), c. 1627. Oil on canvas, 74 x 57 in. Bequest of John Ringling, 1936. SN142.

CELEBRATING THE CIRCUS!

In 1768, Philip Astley, an officer of the British Cavalry, opened a riding school in London and staged exhibitions of his remarkable feats on horseback within a ring. This was the beginning of the phenomenon of the modern circus. Acts of tumbling, rope walking, and clowning were also part of the show, and ever since, audiences have flocked to big tops and arenas around the world to witness the death-defying thrills of the circus. The history of those 250 years is as rich and wonderful as the circus itself; filled with tales of romance and intrigue, and populated with the larger-than-life characters known as “Show Folk.” You can relive much of this history with a visit to The Ringling Circus Museum, which is also celebrating a milestone in 2018.

Created in 1948, the Circus Museum was the first in the nation to document and honor the history of those who dare to fly through the air, dance on the high wire, and tame the very forces of nature. It was not, as you might think, founded by John Ringling in testament to his legacy as the Circus King, but was the inspired creation of A. Everett Austin Jr. “Chick”—as he was known in the world of art—was not only the first Executive Director of The Ringling Museum of Art, he was also a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Austin made no distinction between the artistry of the old masters and the artistry of performers in the circus arena or on stage. This generous embrace of a wide spectrum of artistic expression, coupled with the then-presence of the circus winter quarters in Sarasota, found The Ringling uniquely poised to not only tell the history of the circus, but also to play a collaborative role in its living future. The most fruitful of those collaborations—that with the Circus Arts Conservatory— celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

When the emerging impresario Pedro Reis set off on his mission to revitalize Sarasota’s fabled living legacy of circus, he came to The Ringling with a proposal that brought live circus performers into the cavernous Wagon Room of the Circus Museum. Those first performances attracted thousands of enthusiastic spectators and marked the beginning of the nationally acclaimed Circus Sarasota. The annual Circus Museum performances continued to grow in popularity, until, with the restoration and reopening of the Historic Asolo Theater in 2007, Circus Sarasota and The Ringling joined forces to create a unique entertainment experience by spotlighting and framing the artistry of the circus performer within the ornate splendor of the theater’s proscenium arch. Each year, the Summer Circus Spectacular has grown in scope and popularity, attracting nearly 18,000 circus lovers during its run at The Ringling. Now, following last summer’s hiatus (when the Circus Arts Conservatory was invited to hold center-ring status at the annual Smithsonian Folk Life Festival on the National Mall), Summer Circus Spectacular is returning for a 7-week, 68-performance engagement at the Historic Asolo: June 12–July 28.

Headlining this year’s roster of international circus artists is the inimitable Renaldo. For nearly a quarter of a century, this most lovable circus clown has won the hearts of avid fans with his sly antics and world-famous “Renaldorang”—performing with such legendary shows as The Royal Hanneford Circus, the Luna Stage Theater Co., Canada's Garden Brothers Circus, England's Zippo's Circus, the UniverSoul Circus, and, of course, Circus Sarasota. To round-out this hour of circus fun, Renaldo will be joined by a company of acrobats, dare-devils, jugglers, and more. At the time of this writing, the full roster of entertainers for Summer Circus Spectacular 2018 was not yet complete, but tickets are already on sale and going fast as “children of all ages” continue their 250-year-old love affair with the timeless and indefatigable magical marvel of the circus.

Left: Ackermann's Repository of Arts, London, Astley's Amphitheatre, 1808. Ink on paper, handcolored engraving with aquatint, 10 3/4 × 14 in. Tibbals Circus Collection. ht8000694; Playbill for Royal Grove, Astley's, Westminster-Bridge, July 27, 1790. Printed, ink on paper, 19 x 7 in. Tibbals Circus Collection. ht4002196. Above, top to bottom: Archive photo of a Circus Sarasota performance in the Circus Museum (1998); Renaldo, headliner of the Summer Circus Spectacular 2018

Ezra Masch:

VOLUMES

In 2011, The Ringling embraced the light with the creation of the James Turrell Skyspace, Joseph’s Coat. Using space, color, and light as his medium, Turrell is referred to as a sculptor of light and visitors can now experience the artist’s fascination with the revelation of light in what has become a gathering place for quiet contemplation. In a gallery adjacent to the Skyspace an exhibition on the Art of Our Time, featuring contemporary art from the museum’s permanent collection, is on display where a sound sculpture by the Swiss artist, Zimoun, is featured exploring the graceful, mechanized works of structural simplicity, while manipulating the use of sound.

This summer, just across the Museum of Art courtyard, light and sound are joined in a special installation by artist Ezra Masch. VOLUMES harnesses the speed of light to reveal the volume of sound and space. Opening on Sunday, August 12, 2018, this immersive project will feature a three- dimensional grid of LED lights that will fill the interior of The Ringling’s Monda Gallery of Contemporary Art with an iridescent glow.

With this project, I wanted to establish a direct connection between the process of creating music and the process of creating visual art. I chose to do it with a drum set because it’s an instrument that I’m intimately familiar with. It also puts a contemporary spin on an age-old idea. – Ezra Masch

Contact microphones will be wired from a basic drum set to custom mixers that will divide the audio into multiple ranges of volume. Dimensions of height, length, and width will then be used to map coordinates of tone and amplitude within the grid of lights. Essentially, Masch has created a symbiotic relationship between light and sound— one cannot see the piece unless they can hear it, and vice versa. The 50 percussionists scheduled to play Volumes will be able to experiment with the visual patterns and forms generated in the lights as they perform. Volume and pitch will determine the number of lights that flicker, so each drummer will have to play the light as much as they play the physical drum set.

“I like bringing other people into my work as either participants or collaborators because it adds an element of chance. In this case, the drummers will be contributing creatively to the project. I have no idea what’s going to happen, and that’s one of the things that makes it so exciting,” remarked Masch.

Seeking to cultivate a new way of understanding and translating the volume of sound to the volume of space, Masch has become a sculptor of both light and sound by creating a piece that lies somewhere in between an entirely new instrument and a visual art sculpture. Masch blends elements of sound, light, performance, and engineering into a unique sensory experience that reimagines the traditional notions of stationary sculpture and time-based performance art.

A Season for Our MEMBERS

Make plans to experience these Member-exclusive events that highlight The Ringling’s special exhibitions, dynamic performances, and stimulating programs.

MEMBER EVENTS

THU, MAY 10 • 9:00 – 10:30 AM

STATE OF THE RINGLING & COFFEE AND CONVERSATION

All Members

Join Steven High for a presentation highlighting the museum’s programs, financials, strategic goals, and campaign priorities. A question and answer period will follow.

9:00 AM Coffee and light breakfast

9:30 AM Presentation

EXHIBITION

Storytelling: French Art from the Horvitz Collection Storytelling unites two exhibitions drawn from one of the world's finest private collections of French art. The first features 60 drawings and related prints for book illustration, created between the 16th and 19th centuries, while the second showcases 10 paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries. With subjects ranging from mythological and religious scenes to more playful genre imagery, these stunning works offer a rich overview of the narrative tradition in French art.

WED, SEP 5 • 5:30 – 9:00 PM

CIRCLE MEMBER EXHIBITION PREVIEW AND DINNER

Circle Members

Invitation only, Reservation required

THU, SEP 6 • 5:00 – 7:00 PM

EXHIBITION PREVIEW AND RECEPTION

For Supporting Members & Above Invitation only, Reservation required

SAT, SEP 8 • 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

MEMBERS DAY

All Members

Enjoy refreshments, family programming, and an additional 5% member discount in the Museum Stores.

Funding for Community Foundation of Sarasota County Members Day provided in part by the Gus Lobenwein Memorial Fund, John and Tana Sandefur Foundation, and Zella I. and Janius F. Allen Fund.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2017–2018 ART OF PERFORMANCE SPONSORS

DIRECTOR

Publix Super Markets Charities

PATRON

Lucia and Steven Almquist

Kathy and Michael Bush

Cumberland Advisors

Huisking Family Fund of Community Foundation of Sarasota County

Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, P.A.

Macy’s

Dick and Betty Nimtz

Charlotte and Charles Perret

Stephen and Judith Shank

SunTrust Private Wealth Management

Willis A. Smith Construction

ASSOCIATE

BLVD Sarasota

Daniel Denton and Ramses Serrano

Leon and Marge Ellin

CONTRIBUTOR

Dr. Susan M. Brainerd and Alan R. Quinby

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR HOSPITALITY SPONSORS

Hampton Inn and Suites, Sarasota/Bradenton Airport

Hyatt Place, Sarasota/Bradenton Airport

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR MEDIA SPONSORS

Sarasota Magazine

SRQ Media

WUSF Public Media

Support for the Art of Our Time, including the Art of Performance, was provided in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues. Additional support was provided by The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Foundation.

From the exhibition Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century French Painting from the Horvitz Collection. Louis-Michel Vanloo (Toulon, 1707-1771 Paris), Geneviève-Françoise-Laurette Randon da Malboissière as Melpomene (detail). The Horvitz Collection.

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY SUPPORTS THE RINGLING THROUGH MEMBER EXHIBITION PREVIEW

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Steve & Lucia Almquist

History, art, and performance have always interested Steve and Lucia Almquist, so when they moved to Sarasota in 1997 it was practically a foregone conclusion that they would become members of The Ringling. During those first years on the Gulf Coast, Lucia eagerly awaited the restoration of Ca’ d’Zan to be completed. She was awestruck by the splendor of the opulent mansion when it reopened.

Twenty years later the couple have become active participants of The Ringling, attending lectures, Gallery Walk & Talks, or as Lucia puts it, “really as much as will fit in our schedule.” As Circle Members they have made several friends through attending insider events and functions. The two frequently bring out of town guests to the museum, showing them all the institution has to offer and delighting in their reactions to the campus’s “wow factor.” This past year, when their grandnieces visited, they spent an afternoon in the Tibbals Learning Center and watched children of all ages experience the joy of the circus.

Steve and Lucia are avid theater goers and are always impressed by the performers Ringling curators bring to the museum. They have attended every RIAF; Steve points out that in the first years it was impossible to see every single artist, but they had tickets to as many as possible. The couple are looking forward to next year’s Art of Performance programming and are excited by the possibilities of the new Perret Studio space. They hope it will allow further commissions by The Ringling, citing ETHEL's Circus: Wandering City as one of the best performances they’ve seen in a long time.

This year, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has generously provided grant funding to assist The Ringling with several important initiatives including a unique opportunity to enhance membership experiences. The new Community Foundation of Sarasota County Member Exhibition Preview Saturdays allows Ringling members to access each of the special exhibitions throughout the day on self-guided tours while enjoying light refreshments and special discussions with artists, Ringling curators, and guest curators of exhibitions.

NEW WORKS ON VIEW

Visitors to The Ringling in 2018 will have new reasons to delight in the permanent collection galleries of the Museum of Art. While some of the bestknown paintings from the collection are traveling to two university museums in Florida, the Ringling galleries will see the display of nine beautiful and important works, most of which have been in storage for a number of years. One painting—a new acquisition—will be on view for the first time. We are excited to exhibit these works, and encourage visitors to look for them.

Gallery 9 will feature a work recently added to The Ringling’s collection, the Marriage of Jacob and Rachel, painted in the 1670s by the workshop of Pietro da Cortona. Generously donated by Frances D. Fergusson,

this painting is a lovely addition to the space, which focuses on smaller-scale pictures created for connoisseurcollectors. Cortona himself devised the composition, creating a scene that is both restrained in action yet alive with energy. Old Testament subjects such as this one were in high demand from elite Roman art collectors of the period.

Gallery 6 will feature a small group of Tuscan paintings of the early 16th century, a time when artists in Florence and Siena had absorbed the lessons of the High Renaissance and were moving in new stylistic directions. This grouping of Central Italian works provides a fascinating counterpoint to 16th-century painting in Venice, which is represented in the rest of the gallery.

In Gallery 8, the monumental Annunciation by Benedetto Gennari II will return to view for the first time in ten years (for more on this painting, see the January – April 2018 Members Magazine). Another exceptional work returning to Gallery 8 is the Abduction of Deianira by the Centaur Nessus, painted by Padovanino around 1630, and purchased by John Ringling in 1929. With its warm, vibrant palette, rich contrasts of texture, and closeup, high-pitched drama, this painting illustrates a quintessentially Venetian take on Baroque style.

Additional information about these works can be found in the new catalogue of Italian, Spanish, and French Paintings in the Ringling Museum, available in the Museum Store.

Left to right: Workshop of Pietro da Cortona (Italian, 1596 - 1669), Marriage of Jacob and Rachel, 1670s. Oil on canvas, 29 5/8 × 24 1/8 × 1 1/8 in. Gift of Frances D. Fergusson, 2015. SN11500. Il Padovanino (Italian, 1588 - 1649), Abduction of Deianira by the Centaur Nessus, ca. 1630. Oil on canvas, 74 x 57 in. Bequest of John Ringling, 1936.SN142.

CAPTURING THE WILD WEST

The Ringling boasts an incredible archive of circus posters from all over the world dating back to the 1850s. In early 2018 the museum expanded its collection, with a generous donation from Howard and Janice Tibbals, of nearly 300 posters from Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show.

From 1883 to 1917, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show traveled throughout America and Europe, entertaining audiences with re-enactments of historic events that shaped the Wild West, as well as trick riding and sharp shooting. The advertising for these performances communicated not only their authenticity but also the thrills and sights of the show. William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody noted, “whatever the Wild West advertises, it produces it with a sense of realism and truthfulness that has established a most enviable reputation.”

Among the works now in The Ringling collection are posters designed by the well-known French artist, Rosa Bonheur. Europeans were completely enamored with Cody’s Wild West show. When it traveled to Paris in 1889, Bonheur visited the grounds of the show to sketch the exotic American animals and the Indian warriors with their families. Cody, in turn, accepted the invitation of Rosa Bonheur to visit her chateau in Fontainebleau, where she painted this portrait which eventually became a poster for the show. To Bonheur, the great showman embodied the freedom and independence of the United States. Two large paintings by this important artist are on view in Gallery 21 of the Museum of Art.

These visual images deeply shaped the public views about the American West and Native Americans. The iconic images of real people and historic events still influence our perception of the American frontier and its cultural impact on American history.

Above right: Buffalo Bill: Buffalo Bill Portrait by Rosa Bonheur. Ink on paper, 39 3/4 x 28 1/2 in. Gift of Howard Tibbals, 2017. ht2003952.

Right: Buffalo Bill: He-Nu-Kaw. Ink on paper. 29 1/4 x 16 in. Gift of Howard and Janice Tibbals, 2016. ht2003851.

STORYTELLING:

TWO EXHIBITIONS OF FRENCH ART FROM THE HORVITZ COLLECTION

This September, The Ringling presents Storytelling: French Art from The Horvitz Collection Storytelling unites two exhibitions selected from one of the world’s finest private collections of French art: Imaging Text: French Drawings for Book Illustration from the Horvitz Collection, and Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century French Paintings from the Horvitz Collection

Storytelling will feature 60 drawings and 10 related prints for book illustration, created between the 16th and 19th centuries, as well as a selection of 10 paintings. With subjects ranging from mythological and religious scenes to more playful genre imagery, these stunning works offer a rich overview of the narrative tradition in French art. Storytelling will be on view in the Searing Wing from September 9 to December 2,

2018, and is curated by Alvin L. Clark, Jr., Curator, The Horvitz Collection and The J.E. Horvitz Consultative Curator, Harvard Art Museums. An illustrated catalogue will be available for purchase in the Museum Store.

The Ringling is pleased to bring works from The Horvitz Collection to Sarasota audiences for the first time. Jeffrey E. Horvitz has been amassing his outstanding collection of French drawings—which now numbers more than 1,600— for over thirty years. The Horvitz Collection has been shared through numerous exhibition projects in the United States and Europe, including a major show at the Petit Palais in Paris in 2017. Recently, The Horvitz Collection has been working with museums in Florida, notably the Harn Museum of Art in Gainesville.

Showcasing narrative drawings over a period of three centuries, Imaging Text: French Drawings for Book Illustration from The Horvitz Collection represents a rare opportunity to see French artists in the most immediate fashion. These extraordinary works on paper offer an intimate glimpse of the artist’s hand, and a window into the artistic process. Many of the drawings are elaborate compositions, incorporating multiple figures, and demonstrate the exceptional sensitivity of these French artists in creating visually compelling translations of written stories. Visitors will also become acquainted with the wide range of techniques employed over three centuries, from pen-and-ink drawings—often with the addition of wash— to chalks, charcoal, and graphite.

A number of the works in Imaging Text: French Drawings for Book Illustration from The Horvitz Collection were produced by artists whose names are well known today, such as Charles Le Brun (1619–1690), Charles-Nicolas Cochin le Jeune (1715–1790), and Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732–1806). However, The Horvitz Collection is of such depth that the exhibition will also highlight artists whose reputations were great in their own day, but whose names are less familiar to modern audiences, for example: Claude Gillot (1673–1722), and Anne-Louis Girodet de Roucy-Trioson (1767–1824). What is more, the exhibition goes beyond the work of painters, shedding light on the role of drawing for important French sculptors such as Edme Bouchardon (1698–1762), Jean-Guillaume Boichot (1735–1814), and Jean-Guillaume Moitte (1746–1810).

The Horvitz Collection also includes stunning examples of French painting. Ten important works will be presented in Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century French Paintings from The Horvitz Collection. Visitors will enjoy painted biblical and mythological scenes by Michel II Corneille (1642–1708), Nicolas de Largillière (1656–1746), Louis-Jean François Lagrenée (1724–1805), and Jean-Baptiste-Marie Pierre (1714–1789), as well as two memorable portraits by the celebrated Louis-Michel Vanloo (1707–1771).

Opposite: Louis-Michel Vanloo (Toulon, 1707-1771 Paris), Geneviève-FrançoiseLaurette Randon da Malboissière as Melpomene. Oil on canvas, 36 1/4 x 28 3/8 in. The Horvitz Collection.

Left: Edme Bouchardon (Chaumont-enBassigny, 1698-1762 Paris), Visigoths Attacking Clovis as He Kills Alaric Red chalk on cream antique laid paper, framing lines in red chalk, 96 x 202 mm. The Horvitz Collection.

SUMMER @ THE RINGLING

Are you looking for things to keep your little ones’ minds and bodies active this summer? Join us for Family Programs at The Ringling, where there is something fun to do almost every day of the week!

On Mondays, we are bringing back Museum of Art Monday, where you can join us for an art activity inspired by an artwork in the museum. Admission to the Museum of Art is free on Mondays, so head to the galleries afterward to see the featured object in person!

On the last Tuesday of each month we are continuing Stroller Tours, when families with infants are invited to tour a museum venue with a baby-friendly group that doesn’t mind if a chatty or crying baby joins the conversation.

On Thursdays, join us for ROAR: Ringling Order of Art Readers in the morning to read a story followed by an art activity. In the evening, we are hosting Family Activities that change weekly—some weeks we will be bringing out our Imagination Playground giant block set on the grounds and other weeks we will be making art projects.

On Fridays, there is a second session of ROAR. The book and art activity changes weekly, so you can visit whatever day works best for your schedule.

On the first Saturday of every month, we have Family First Saturdays that are packed with activities that engage the whole family. Join us to create art projects, play with the Imagination Playground, participate in a special session of ROAR, or join our participatory museum tour called Kids Quest!

More information on all of these fun summer programs can be found at ringling.org.

We hope to see you this summer!

MORE INFORMATION

Website: ringling.org/events/giving-challenge

Email: michelle.young@ringling.org

#BeTheOne THE RINGLING & THE 2018 GIVING CHALLENGE

The Ringling is proud to participate once again in the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Giving Challenge—a 24-hour online event supporting over 625 nonprofits serving Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties. The 2018 theme, “Be the One,” is inspired by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s belief that each one of us has the potential to impact a person, a cause, a community.

This year, The Ringling’s iconic sculpture of David will be getting a lot of attention. David has stood in his current position overlooking the Museum of Art Courtyard for close to 90 years. Through the Giving Challenge, the Museum aims to raise $25,000 to support the conservation of the nearly 17-foot-high bronze cast of the classical work by Michelangelo. Every dollar raised through the 2018 Giving Challenge will go towards the conservation process.

“David is cast in bronze, which is a durable material, but susceptible to deterioration in the form of corrosion, particularly when displayed in an outdoor environment,” said Barbara Ramsay, chief conservator. “In the salt-laden air of Sarasota, with both plentiful rainfall and sunshine, the protective coatings applied to the bronze to prolong its life gradually wear off. The metal is then eaten away and the surface becomes pitted, mottled, and discolored.”

Through an intensive conservation treatment process carried out on site, the degraded coatings are removed, along with the accumulation of corrosion products, salt, grime, and biological deposits. New protective coatings will then be applied to the entire surface. This effort will help to ensure preservation of the bronze and restore David’s original appearance for all to enjoy.

The 2018 Giving Challenge takes place May 1-2, 2018. Again this year, The Patterson Foundation will match all new gifts up to $100 1:1. This allows each and every person to #BeTheOne and make a difference through their philanthropy.

In 2016, The Ringling successfully raised over $34,000 through the Giving Challenge to support the restoration of the stunning early 18th-century Italian oil painting, The Watermelon Regatta. The beloved painting is still undergoing major conservation treatment in The Ringling’s Conservation Laboratory.

Left: Michelangelo Buonarroti (Italian, 1475 - 1564), David, mid 19th-early 20th Century. Bronze cast by Chiurazzi Foundry (Italian, founded 1870) of 16th century original, 198 3/4 in. Bequest of John Ringling, 1936. SN5466.