The Collection of Gordon and Zanne Stewart
Eclectic and varied in style and focus, the Collection of Gordon and Zanne Stewart was amassed over decades resulting in a collection that represents the aesthetic interests of the Stewarts across multiple collecting categories.
Gordon Stewart studied Art History at Oberlin College where he developed an interest in how different stylistic periods related to each other, helping him to form his understanding of history and a nescient overview of the world through art. Stewart loved Old Master paintings, early Dutch painting and the early Modernists, all well-represented in the collection. He then focused on Contemporary Art, acquiring a formidable group of works on paper and paintings, as well as artist’s books and sculpture. Zanne Stewart had no formal Art History education but loved art from childhood, visiting museums as a young girl and developing her own aesthetic opinions and interest.
The Stewarts loved the Southwest, spending significant time in Santa Fe where they bought textiles, pottery and fine art that they both loved. Their mid-century home was decorated with furniture and objects from the same period, complemented by Asian and ethnographic ceramics and sculpture, Old Master, Modern and Contemporary art, Navajo rugs, pottery and books. The Stewarts lived comfortably with their collection and enjoyed sharing their interests with their daughter who grew to love the collection as much as her parents did. Representing multiple collecting categories, when seen as a whole the Collection of Gordon and Zanne Stewart represents a life-long interest in art, history and a world view shaped by travel and academic pursuits. It is a very personal collection that reflects the interests of two people who enjoyed beautiful things, both aesthetically and intellectually, and above all, enjoyed living with and sharing the collection as a family.