I.

Calling of the Meeting to Order – Diane B. Wilsey, President

A special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco was held on Thursday, April 15, 2010, in the Piazzoni Murals Room of the de Young Museum, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.  Because of the change in date from April 8, 2010 to April 15, 2010, the meeting was noticed as a special meeting.  A quorum was present that being one third of the number of Trustees in office.  The meeting was called to order at 3:20 p.m. by Diane B. Wilsey, President.

President Wilsey presided; Mrs. Gough acted as Secretary.

II.

Calling of the Roll

III.

Closed Session for Conference with Legal Counsel for Existing Litigation

President Wilsey stated that this item concerns litigation between the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (City and County of San Francisco) and defendants Robert L. Friede and Thomas W. Jaffe, brothers of Trustee John Friede, and the related claims regarding the Jolika Collection.

As was reported in the San Francisco Chronicle on April 14, 2010, the Museums have settled the litigation regarding the Jolika Collection.  Accordingly, the Board of Trustees will not proceed into a closed session.  President Wilsey called on Deputy City Attorneys Adine Varah and Donald Margolis to provide a brief report on the settlement. 

Ms. Varah was pleased to report that this matter has finally come to a close.  The City and County of San Francisco (Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco) has reached final agreement with Robert L. Friede and Thomas W. Jaffe; John and Marcia Friede; and Sotheby’s.   The litigation in California, New York, and Florida has been dismissed.  Most importantly, the Museums have achieved their goal of ensuring that the Jolika Collection will continue to be an unparalleled example of the masterworks of Papua New Guinea for the benefit of the public.

Ms. Varah reported that the Museums now have clear title to at least 274 of the 398 Inaugural Exhibition Works at the de Young Museum.

With respect to Sotheby’s, Ms. Varah explained that prior to lending the Inaugural Exhibition Works to the Museum as a promised gift, the Friedes had pledged some of the artworks as collateral for a loan from Sotheby’s.  This loan is now in default.  As a result, the Museum has released some of the artworks to Sotheby’s to sell in order for Sotheby’s to reduce the Friedes’ debt.  While it is unfortunate that these works need to be sold, the Museums and Sotheby’s have worked collaboratively in addressing this situation.  The Museums are pleased with this progress towards achieving the goal of retaining the core of the Jolika Collection, which contains extraordinary and important artworks, for continued exhibition and appreciation at the de Young Museum.

Ms. Varah reminded Trustees to refer any inquiries regarding this matter to the City Attorney’s Office or to Director John E. Buchanan, Jr.  She concluded her report by emphasizing the great honor it has been to work with the Museums on this matter and expressed appreciation to the Board of Trustees for giving the City Attorney’s Office the opportunity to help protect and preserve the Jolika Collection for current and future generations.  Ms. Varah also thanked City Attorney Dennis Herrera, who supported the Deputy City Attorneys in representing the Museums; Deputy City Attorney Margolis commended Joanne Hoeper, Chief Trial Deputy, for her invaluable assistance in this matter.

IV.

Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution of  Appreciation Honoring City Attorney Dennis Herrera, Deputy City Attorneys Adine Varah and Donald Margolis, and Chief Trial Deputy Joanne Hoeper for Their Significant Efforts in Preserving the Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park

President Wilsey expressed the Board of Trustees’ profound gratitude to City Attorney Dennis Herrera, Deputy City Attorneys Adine Varah and Donald Margolis, and Chief Trial Deputy Joanne Hoeper for their significant efforts in preserving the Jolika Collection of Papua New Guinea Art at the de Young Museum.  She read the following resolution of appreciation:

WHEREAS, City Attorney Dennis Herrera recognized the significance of the Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art to the de Young Museum and the people of San Francisco and beyond; and

WHEREAS, With utmost conviction, he generously committed the resources of the Office of the City Attorney to the protection of the Collection at the de Young Museum; and

WHEREAS, The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco could not have been better represented than by the tireless and tenacious work of Deputy City Attorneys Adine Varah and Donald Margolis and Chief Trial Deputy Joanne Hoeper; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby express its everlasting and profound gratitude to Dennis Herrera, Adine Varah, Donald Margolis, and Joanne Hoeper for their extraordinary efforts on behalf of the de Young Museum and the public it serves; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees acknowledges with deepest appreciation their dedication and commitment to the preservation of the world-renown Jolika Collection at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park now and for generations to come.

The Board of Trustees recognized the City Attorneys with a sustained round of applause.  A motion was made and duly seconded to adopt the above resolution.  There was no discussion among Trustees; there was no public comment.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1686.

City Attorney Dennis Herrera thanked the Board of Trustees for the resolution honoring the City attorneys and acknowledged the cultural history and importance of the Jolika Collection to the City of San Francisco and to the Fine Arts Museums.  He recognized President Wilsey, Director Buchanan, and the staff of the Museums for their assistance in helping his office to formulate and execute an aggressive strategy to preserve the Jolika Collection at the de Young Museum.

V.

Report of the President – Diane B. Wilsey

A. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve the Minutes of the January 19, 2010 Meeting of the Board of Trustees

There being no discussion among the Trustees or members of the public, the minutes of the January 19, 2010 meeting of the Board of Trustees, having been mailed in advance to all Trustees, were unanimously approved.

B. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve the Report of the February 25, 2010 Acquisitions Committee Meeting – George Hecksher, Vice President for Collections and Chair of the Acquisitions Committee

Chair Hecksher provided the following report of the February 25, 2010 meeting of the Acquisitions Committee of the Fine Arts Museums Foundation:

1. Purchases

Chair Hecksher called upon Lynn Orr, Curator in Charge of European Art, to present  The Bard (Le Barde), ca. 1806, by Anne-Louise Girodet de Roussy-Trioson (French, 1767-1824).  Girodet, one of the first artists to explore Romanticism, studied under the Neoclassical painter Jacques-Louis David, but was influenced by Italian artists and came to embrace the expression of emotion and imagination.  He was also influenced by the stirring nationalism across Europe as different peoples sought to reclaim their own folk and mythological histories, separate from ancient classical Greek and Roman traditions.

The Bard (Le Barde) is based on a Celtic folkloric poem written by Thomas Gray.  The poem laments Edward I’s subjugation of Wales in 1282 – 83, and sings the story of the last Welsh bard, who cursed Edward’s Plantagenet line, and then leapt to his own death.  The painting with its extraordinary light effects will be the first artwork in the permanent collection to represent this period in European painting.

Chair Hecksher then invited Karin Breuer, Curator in Charge of the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts, to discuss Untitled (Costume Design for La Création du Monde), by Fernand Léger (French, 1881 – 1955).  This drawing represents a costume study for
La Création du Monde, a combined art, music, theater and dance spectacle inspired by African creation myths, and reflects a significant cubist influence.  The costumes and sets were inspired by African masks.

The Achenbach does not include a Fernand Léger drawing or Ballet Suédois picture. She commented that late Curator Nancy Van Norman Baer’s last exhibition at the Legion of Honor, Paris Modern, focused on the avant-garde dance troupe, Ballet Suédois.  The acquisition of this work of art would be funded by a memorial fund created in Ms. Baer’s memory, and by a generous gift from a Trustee in honor of her late husband, also a Trustee.

Mr. Buchanan commended Ms. Breuer on the occasion of her 25^th anniversary today as an employee of the Fine Arts Museums.  He extended sincere thanks and appreciation for her efforts on behalf of the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts and the new de Young Museum.  She previously served as the Curator of New de Young Planning.

It was pointed out that Rhapsody, 2002, by Richard Mayhew (American, b. 1924) was also presented for purchase consideration at the February 25 Acquisitions Committee meeting.  These three artworks listed on page 1 of Appendix I of these minutes were recommended to the Board of Trustees for purchase approval. 

2. Gifts

Chair Hecksher noted the gifts of 12 works of arts from six donors.  He highlighted the gift of a Silver Service, ca. 1925, by Dirk van Erp (American, 1860-1933), along with the Presentation Drawing: Design for a Coffee and Tea Service that accompanies the Silver Service.  He also reported that the Broderie Perse Quilt, 1825, (artist unknown, United States, probably Maryland or the Carolinas) is considered a work of abandoned property.  The Museums have held this object for more than fifty years and are now accessioning it into the permanent collection.[1]

Chair Hecksher expressed sincere appreciation to all the donors.  The gifts offered to the Museums by the Fine Arts Museums Foundation are listed on pages 2 and 3 of Appendix I of these minutes.

3. Funded Purchases

Chair Hecksher particularly noted The Chiyozuru Teahouse – Orise, 1794–1795 by Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1754–1806), which will join the Museums’ fine collection of Japanese woodblock prints, and Bend in the River, 2009, a quilt by Joe Cunningham (American, b. 1952).

The 5 artworks listed on page 4 of appendix I of these minutes were recommended to the Board of Trustees for purchase approval.

4. First Step Deaccessioning

The 20 American artworks listed on pages 5 and 6 of Appendix I of these minutes were recommended to the Board of Trustees for first step deaccessioning.  

5. Second Step Deaccessioning

The 5 works of American art and 224 Textile objects, listed on page 7 of Appendix I of these minutes, were recommended by the Acquisitions Committee for second step deaccessioning.  Chair Hecksher advised that, as required by Board policy, the Acquisitions Committee viewed the objects proposed for second step deaccessioning at its February 25, 2010 meeting.  Furthermore, he noted that the 5 American paintings will be offered for sale at the May 20 Christie’s auction in New York and will be included in the auction catalogues, which are scheduled to be distributed in early April.  The Trustees received notification of this publishing deadline in mid-March.

The following resolution was then introduced:

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby approve the appended February 25, 2010 report of the Acquisitions Committee of the Fine Arts Museums Foundation, including approving the works of art acquired through purchase and donation as gifts to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco from the Fine Arts Museums Foundation, with the exception of one gift to the Fine Arts Museums Foundation, and approving first step and second step deaccessioning.

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1687. 

C. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Cancelling the May 13, 2010 Executive Committee Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

President Wilsey advised that there is a need to cancel the May 13, 2010 Executive Committee meeting due to a scheduling conflict.  She introduced the following resolution:

RESOLVED, That due to a scheduling conflict, the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby approve the cancellation of the May 13, 2010 Executive Committee meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums ofSan Francisco scheduled for 3:00 p.m., in the Board Room at the Legion of Honor.

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among the Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1688.

D. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Changing the Dates of the Thursday, October 14, 2010 Meeting of the Board of Trustees to Thursday, October 21, 2010 and the Thursday, December 16, 2010 Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco to Tuesday, December 14, 2010

President Wilsey reported that the dates of the October 14, 2010 Board of Trustees meeting and the December 16, 2010 Executive Committee meeting need to be changed due to scheduling conflicts.  She introduced the following resolution:

RESOLVED, That due to scheduling conflicts, the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby change the date of the Thursday, October 14, 2010 Meeting of the Board of Trustees to Thursday, October 21, 2010, and the Thursday, December 16, 2010 meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees to Tuesday, December 14, 2010, with the times and locations of both meetings remaining the same, namely, 3 p.m., in the Board Room at the Legion of Honor.

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among the Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1689.

VI.

Report of the Director – John E. Buchanan, Jr.

A. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve Loan Requests

Mr. Buchanan presented the following loan requests:

1. From: Château-Musée de Dieppe, Dieppe, France

For: Normandie Impressionniste
Château-Musée de Dieppe, Dieppe, France: 6/27/10 - 9/26/10

Camille Jacob Pissarro (French, 1830 - 1903)
Harbor at Dieppe,1902
Oil on canvas, 18 3/8 x 21 3/4 in. (46.7x 55.2 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Mildred Anna Williams Collection
1940.52

Stipulations: The painting must be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to and from Dieppe.  All related expenses will be paid by the requesting organization.

2. From: The Museum of Modern Art, New York, N.Y.

For: de Kooning Retrospective
The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY: 9/18/11 - 1/9/12

Willem de Kooning (American, 1904 - 1997)
Untitled (Two Figures), ca. 1947
Oil, watercolor, charcoal and graphite
Sheet:  572 x 559 mm (22 ½ x 22 in.)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Museum purchase, Gift of Mrs. Paul L. Wattis
1999.131

Stipulations: The drawing must be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to and from New York.  All related expenses will be paid by the requesting organization.

3. From: Portland Museum of Art, Portland, ME

For: John Marin: A Survey of Late Work
Portland Museum of Art, Portland, ME: 6/23/11 -10/9/11
Amon Carter Museum, Ft. Worth, TX: 11/4/11 - 1/8/12
Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA,
1/27/12 – 4/1/12

John Marin (American, 1870 - 1953)
Study, New York, 1934
Oil on canvas, 55.9 x 71.1 cm (22 x 28 in.)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Museum purchase, Roscoe and Margaret Oakes Income Fund and American Art Trust Fund
2002.139

Stipulations: The painting must be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to Portland, ME, and return from and from Andover, MA, and must be part of a couriered shipment between venues.  All related expenses will be paid by the requesting organization.

4. From:Réunion des Musées Nationaux, Paris, France

For: Claude Monet
Grand Palais, Paris, France: 9/20/10 - 1/24/11

Claude Monet (French, 1840 - 1926)
Water Lilies, ca. 1914 - 1917
Oil on canvas, 65 3/8 x 56 in. (166.1 x 142.2 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Museum Purchase, Mildred Anna Williams Collection
1973.3

Stipulations: The painting must be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to and from Paris.  All related expenses will be paid by the requesting organization.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the loan requests noted above. There was no discussion among Trustees or public testimony. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the loans, subject to the conditions stated.

B. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Acknowledging Funding Expended by the Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums During the Period October 1 through December 31, 2009

The City’s Sunshine Ordinance requires the Fine Arts Museums to disclose the amount and source of all gifts received.  Mr. Buchanan presented the following resolution, which acknowledges funding expended by the Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums for the period October 1 through December 30, 2009.

WHEREAS, The Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that exists to support the activities of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby acknowledge with gratitude funding in the amount of $6,442,758 expended by the Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums for operations during the period October 1 through December 31, 2009.

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1690.

C. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Acknowledging that No Bequests of Funds Were Received During the Period October 1 through December 31, 2009

In accordance with the City’s Sunshine Ordinance, bequests received by the Fine Arts Museums must also be disclosed.  Mr. Buchanan introduced the following resolution acknowledging that no bequests of funds were received by the Museums during the period October 1 through December 30, 2009.

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby acknowledge that no bequests of funds were received during the period October 1 through December 31, 2009.

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1691.

VII.

Public Comment

Members of the public may address the Board of Trustees on Items within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.  Speakers may address the Board for up to three minutes; the President or the Board of Trustees may limit the total comment to thirty minutes.  There was no public comment.

VIII. 

Meeting Schedule, Future Events and Current and Future Exhibits

A. 2010 Board of Trustees Meetings

B. 2010 Executive Committee Meetings

C. Future Events

D. Current and Future Exhibitions[2]

Legion of Honor - Major Special Exhibitions

de Young Museum -  Major Special Exhibitions

IX.

Adjournment in Memory of Trustee Molly M. Crowley and Retired Trustee Nancee Erickson – Diane B. Wilsey, President

There being no further business, President Wilsey adjourned the meeting at 3:50 p.m. in memory of Trustee Molly M. Crowley and Retired Trustee Nancee Erickson, who passed away on March 21, 2010 and March 12, 2010, respectively.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Gough
Executive Secretary, Museums

These minutes set forth all actions taken up by the Board of Trustees on matters stated, but not necessarily in the order in which the matters were considered.

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