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When we moved from New York City into a grand old house in the suburbs - about 45 years ago - we began in a conventional way to purchase paintings in order to decorate the empty walls. Our sources were: art dealers, antique shops, auction houses, private collectors, and periodical and newspaper advertisements. At first we had no particular plan or theme to limit us - but we have since narrowed our focus to European Old Masters, sixteenth-century or earlier. Needless to say we became compulsive collectors. We now have about two hundred and fifty paintings and drawings. Each work has an individual story. We have greatly enjoyed the academic research and detective work involved in tracing provenance, origins and attributions. Many art historians and museum curators here and abroad have given us their valuable ideas and learned opinions, and we owe much to their support. Also, we own an extensive library of encyclopedias and books on art. In this process we have made many good friends in the art world, and have shared our knowledge and discoveries. We hope that in lending our paintings to the Mandeville Gallery at Union College, and the Concordia Gallery at Concordia College, art history students and faculty will benefit by the opportunity to do original research, and the greater college communities will benefit from seeing Old Master works right on their own campus. Further, seeing our paintings in these distinguished surroundings revives our enthusiasm. It gives us great pleasure to share our unique treasures with you.
-Seena
and Arnold Davis
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