A fire at a prestigious Seattle gallery has destroyed more than 100 valuable works of art – including “irreplaceable” ones by Rembrandt and Pablo Picasso.
The fire likely started early Friday when a fire that heated up in a hallway accidentally got out of control and spread to Davidson Galleries, the Seattle Times reported, citing the Seattle Fire Department.
The gallery has about 16,000 pieces valued at up to $28,000 each, gallery manager Rebecca McDonald told the outlet.
At least two etchings by Picasso and Rembrandt were among the damaged or possibly destroyed works, McDonald explained.
“Yes, we have insurance [but] we love what we do and we love art … That’s what broke our hearts. This is an irreplaceable work of art,” McDonald told the Seattle Times, his voice breaking.
The Davidson Gallery in Seattle suffered a fire last week. Brian Lane/Rebecca McDonald/Davidson Gallery via KCPQ
Currently, about 50 to 75 pieces are considered damaged beyond repair, gallery collections manager Paige McCray told the outlet.
“We are checking the parts with less damage for their potential restoration. With the protection of archival mats and other materials, much of the artwork has been preserved,” McCray said via email.
This gallery specializes in works on paper. Brian Lane/Rebecca McDonald/Davidson Gallery via KCPQ
Davidson Galleries did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
The devastating fire comes shortly after Davidson Galleries – which recently marked its 50th anniversary – announced plans to move out of its old store.
The move turned out to be a mixed blessing: Some work was moved off-site at the time of the fire, while others were more exposed than they should have been due to preparations, McDonald said.
The gallery caught fire early Friday. KCPQ
The gallery manager was woken up by an alarm from the building’s security company around 6:30 a.m. Friday, he said.
By the time he arrived, firefighters were already at work.
“They’re very aware that it’s an art gallery and we’re doing work on paper. So they’re very diligent about making sure the water doesn’t go anywhere. And they also help get the art out of the drawers and bring it outside when things calm down, ” he told the Seattle Times.
The gallery is still trying to salvage some of the damaged pieces. Brian Lane/Rebecca McDonald/Davidson Gallery via KCPQ
Later in the morning, firefighters took the salvaged works in piles of flat files outside and piled them on the ground, local artist Aidan Sakakini, who stopped to help, said of the scene.
“We brought items from the old space to the new space. And then they had people at Yesler’s place just unpacking the soaked box. Inevitably, some work was lost. It is very difficult to measure how much,” he explained.
The gallery windows were also blackened by soot, the photo shows.
Works by Picasso and Rembrandt were among those damaged. Brian Lane/Rebecca McDonald/Davidson Gallery via KCPQ
Sakakini also saw the owner of the gallery, Sam Davidson, surveying the loss with his wife.
“Tragic,” he lamented.
The gallery’s plans to reopen in its new location in February were delayed as the business secured new furniture and storage systems for the remaining work, McDonald explained.
“We prioritize the care of artwork first,” he said.
Charles Spitzack, another local artist represented by Davidson Galleries, said he worries less about the status of his own work than supporting the gallery.
“The demon from it is still intact. And so I’m still very hopeful. But honestly, I don’t really care about my own artwork right now… I’m more looking for ways to continue to help and support Davidson moving forward,” he said.
“Everyone has been amazing,” McDonald added of how the community has rallied around the gallery.
“Brings me to tears just thinking about how supportive the arts community is in this situation,” she said.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
