Explore the Acquisition of this artwork, The House of the Deaf Woman and the Belfry at Eragny.
In 2002, the generosity of an anonymous museum patron allowed the IMA to purchase this valuable painting from a private European collection. It had not been seen in public since 1918, and had never been on view in the USA. Chief curator Ellen Lee estimated that its value was in the millions, calling it "the largest gift for an individual object the museum has had." The painting was so little-known that the art dealer who sold it to Lee insisted upon coming to Indianapolis with a color photograph, rather than letting her base her decision on a black and white reproduction from a book of Pissarro's work. His tactic worked since Lee recalls gasping upon first seeing the image. Lee traveled to Normandy for additional research, and found the scene remained much as Pissarro has painted it; the house and church are still standing. The painting is currently on view in the Robert H. & Ina M. Mohlman Gallery and has the accession number 2002.76
Indianapolis Indiana Normandy