This dataset looks at works of art acquired by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) in New York City from 1929-2016 and categorizes them by gender. The x-axis represents years, while the y-axis represents the amount of works acquired in a year.
In the time period this visualization focuses on, 82% of the museum's collection consisted of works created by men, 13% by women and 5% undefined. At its peak in 1966, the MoMa acquired 2109 works of art made by men. However, we see a trend towards increased inclusivity as the years progress with the MoMa acquiring more art by women or undefined gender monikers.
The Louis E Stern Collection was the largest donator of works to the museum's collection. An art collect and attorney, Stern's collection was notable for its illustrated artists' books, prints, sculpture, ancient and primitive objects and paintings, in particular many works by Marc Chagall. In total, almost eleven hundred works from Stern's estate were donated to the museum, 99% of which were made by male artists.
Other notable donators include the Abbott-Levy Collection, a partial gift by Shirley C. Burden. Julien Levy was one of the most influential art dealers of the twentieth century and an impassioned champion of Surrealism, experimental film and photography. The MoMa gained almost 5000 works of art by solely male artists from his collection.
The Lilly Reich Collection was the largest notable donation of solely female works to the museum. Lilly Reich herself was a German modernist designer. An important pioneer of modern design, she was one of the most respected practitioners in Germany during the 1920s and 1930s. A bit more than 800 works of Lilly Reich's art were donated to the museum.
Visualization by: Simone Betito