In a transformative gift that will significantly enhance its holdings in early 20th-century avant-garde art, American collector and philanthropist John Pritzker has donated 188 works spanning the Dada and Surrealist movements to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This landmark donation includes a vast array of collages, paintings, photographs, and works on paper by 37 leading artists, showcasing some of the most innovative developments in European art history.

The Pritzker collection features seminal works by pioneers such as Man Ray, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst, Francis Picabia, and Kurt Schwitters, among others. These pieces highlight the radical experimentations in form and concept that defined Dada’s anti-art provocations and Surrealism’s exploration of the unconscious.

John Pritzker, a trustee of the Met, has long been a major contributor to the institution’s collection strategy. His gift arrives in tandem with the Met’s upcoming exhibition Man Ray: When Objects Dream, which will feature 35 of the works from this donation, underscoring the exhibition’s depth and historical range.

The donation also strengthens the Met’s department of Modern and Contemporary Art, which actively expands its collections through acquisitions and gifts that emphasize global movements and diverse artistic voices.

This influx of Dada and Surrealist works will enable the Met to further its mission-driven programming, research initiatives, and public engagement, ensuring these critically important movements remain accessible and vital to contemporary audiences. The Met plans to integrate the new acquisitions into its gallery displays and scholarly activities, enhancing the understanding of art’s role in challenging traditional narratives and societal norms.

Image Sources and Keywords

• Photographs of Man Ray’s collage and photographic works donated by John Pritzker.

• Iconic artworks by Marcel Duchamp and Max Ernst included in the donation.

• Installation views of Man Ray: When Objects Dream exhibition at the Met.

• John Pritzker photographed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art during the gift ceremony.

Keywords with Anchor Text Embedded in the Article

• extensive collection of Dada and Surrealist art

• transformative gift from collector John Pritzker

• featuring pioneering artist Man Ray

• major works by Marcel Duchamp and Max Ernst

• Metropolitan Museum of Art’s modern and contemporary art department

• upcoming exhibition Man Ray: When Objects Dream

FAQ

Who is John Pritzker?

John A. Pritzker is an American businessman and philanthropist who has made significant contributions to art institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What does the donation consist of?

The gift includes 188 artworks—collages, photographs, paintings, and works on paper—by key figures in Dada and Surrealism.

Which artists are most prominently featured?

Artists such as Man Ray, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst, Francis Picabia, and Kurt Schwitters are well represented.

How will the donation impact the Met?

It enriches the Met’s collection and upcoming exhibitions, especially enhancing the understanding and appreciation of Dada and Surrealist movements.

When is the upcoming Man Ray exhibition?

Man Ray: When Objects Dream opens September 14, 2025, and runs through February 1, 2026, prominently featuring works from the Pritzker donation.