Tate Modern has announced its most significant single donation in over 50 years, a monumental triptych by American abstract expressionist Joan Mitchell named “Untitled (for my German shepherd dog Iva),” reflecting her beloved pet. This substantial work, measuring six meters and created by Mitchell in 1973, was donated to Britain’s national art collection by billionaire Miami real estate magnate Jorge M Pérez and his wife, Darlene. Initially displayed in their bedroom, the couple agreed to donate the piece following a protracted conversation with Tate director Maria Balshaw, acknowledging her persuasive efforts. Balshaw characterized the Mitchell triptych as “the single most significant gift to the institution since Mark Rothko donated nine large murals in 1969,” with its value remaining undisclosed. Pérez described it as priceless. The triptych is set to hang next to the museum’s Rothko Room, enhancing the gallery’s representation of that artistic era and reigniting discussions on the importance of female artists’ contributions. This donation by Pérez and his wife represents a pinnacle of philanthropic gesture, aiming to inspire others to contribute to public art collections. Their generosity also includes a “multimillion-pound” donation to establish a curatorial post at Tate dedicated to African art, with promises of more contributions from their collection of artworks by African and Latin American artists. The Pérez couple’s ambition is to motivate other affluent individuals to follow their example in supporting art and cultural institutions, highlighting their belief in the transformative power of art.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/apr/03/tate-modern-given-joan-mitchell-works-in-biggest-donation-since-1969-jorge-m-perez