Gallery Views of A Passion for Prints: The John Bonebrake Donation
October 2, 2011-January 29, 2012
Prints and Drawings Galleries
John Corwin Bonebrake (1918-2011) was a devoted and generous print collector. An architect, he first chose images of buildings, but his scope was broadened by joining the Print Club of Cleveland in 1961 when he began to purchase anything that tickled his fancy and learn about the printmakers. Because it was John's intention to donate his acquisitions-about 1,000 19th- and 20th-century graphics-he sometimes added works that would enhance the museum's collection. Amiable and eccentric, with a dry sense of humor, John built a fascinating collection on a small budget. He sets an example for future generations of print enthusiasts with this advice: "buy what you like but most important of all, have fun."
The Cleveland Museum of Art is generously funded by Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this exhibition with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.