Scholar’s pavilion by a stream, by Uragami Gyokudo (Japanese, 1745–1820). Ink on paper. Asian Art Museum, Gift from The Collection of George Gund III, R2015.38.28. Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

CLEVELAND, OH.- More than 200 artworks, predominately Japanese ink paintings and calligraphy, have joined the collections of the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. These works, which include a number of rare and important masterpieces, constitute a bequest of the collection of George Gund III (1937–2013), sports entrepreneur, supporter of world cinema and connoisseur of East Asian art. 

The Cleveland Museum of Art has received the earlier works from Gund’s collection, including 64 Japanese ink paintings, many from the Muromachi period (1336-1573), and six Korean paintings, in addition to calligraphy and stoneware jars. The Asian Art Museum will acquire 140 examples of Japanese ink painting and calligraphy dated between 1600 and 1900, including masterpieces by the most notable calligraphers and painters of the Edo period (1615-1868), of which a substantial number are by Zen monks. 

Cleveland Museum of Art Director William Griswold commented: “Mr. Gund’s bequest marks a new chapter in the Gund family’s long history of generosity to the museum and of engagement with the Cleveland community. An exhibition presenting new research on highlights from the collection will take place in our galleries next year.” The announcement of the bequest comes at the start of the Cleveland museum’s 2016 centennial celebration. 

“Mr. Gund had an excellent eye for works of great quality, and in some cases, good humor,” said Jay Xu, director of the Asian Art Museum. “We’re thrilled at this generous gift, which enables his collection to serve as a valuable public resource for generations to come.” The works join the museum’s collection coinciding with its 50th year. 

Works from Gund’s collection were previously featured in exhibitions at both museums, leading to strong relationships with the institutions. Ink Paintings and Ash-Glazed Ceramics: Medieval Calligraphy, Painting, and Ceramic Art from Japan and Korea, an exhibition drawn exclusively from the holdings of the Gund Collection was presented at the Cleveland Museum of Art in 2000. The following year, 20 works from the Gund Collection were featured in Zen Painting and Calligraphy 17th-20th Century, an exhibition at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. 

George Gund III was born in Cleveland in 1937 and spent his youth in northeast Ohio. At age 18, Gund joined the Marine Corps, which brought him to the city of San Francisco, and also to Japan, where his interest in Asian art was awakened. 

A businessman and sports entrepreneur, during his lifetime Gund owned the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team, as well as several hockey teams, including the Minnesota North Stars and the San Jose Sharks. 

Gund was an ardent supporter of world cinema. He was the longtime chairman of the San Francisco Film Society, and he produced films as president of Caipirinha Productions. Along with his wife, filmmaker Iara Lee, Gund founded the Iara Lee and George Gund III Foundation, and he was a member of the boards of many arts and philanthropic organizations. 

George Gund III died on January 15, 2013, at the age of 75.

Storage Jar, Shigaraki Ware, Japan, late 15th Century, stoneware with natural ash glaze, Diameter: w. 43.00 cm (16 7/8 inches); Overall: h. 49.00 cm (19 1/4 inches). Gift from the Collection of George Gund III 2015.506. Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

Storage Jar, Shigaraki Ware, Japan, 16th Century, stoneware with natural ash glaze, Diameter: w. 28.30 cm (11 1/8 inches); Overall: h. 34.00 cm (13 3/8 inches). Gift from the Collection of George Gund III 2015.505. Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

Large Storage Jar, Shigaraki Ware, Japan, 15th Century, stoneware with natural ash glaze, Diameter: w. 39.50 cm (15 1/2 inches); Overall: h. 48.00 cm (18 7/8 inches). Gift from the Collection of George Gund III 2015.486. Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

Large Storage Kame, Echizen Ware, Japan, 15th Century, stoneware with natural ash glaze, Diameter: w. 51.00 cm (20 1/16 inches); Overall: h. 55.70 cm (21 7/8 inches). Gift from the Collection of George Gund III 2015.485. B. Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

Landscape, Japan, Muromachi period (1392-1573), six-panel folding screen; ink and color on paper, each screen: 149.00 x 340.00 cm (58 5/8 x 133 13/16 inches). Gift from the Collection of George Gund III 2015.484.1. Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

Geese and Reeds, calligraphy by Issan Ichinei (Japanese, 1247-1317), hanging scroll; ink on paper, Mounted: 80.70 x 32.30 cm (31 3/4 x 12 11/16 inches). Gift from the Collection of George Gund III 2015.464. Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

Tartars Hunting in a Mountain Landscape, Japan, Kano school, Momoyama-early Edo period, first half of 17th century, six-panel folding screen; ink and color on gold wash-decorated paper, Overall: 143.20 x 334.00 cm (56 3/8 x 131 7/16 inches). Gift from the Collection of George Gund III 2015.504. Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

Reflections of Priest Foyen, Ikkyu Sojun (Japanese, 1394-1481), hanging scroll, ink on paper, Mounted: 125.40 x 35.60 cm (49 5/16 x 14 inches). Gift from the Collection of George Gund III 2015.511. Photograph © Asian Art Museum. 

Mountain Market Clear with Rising Mist, 1500s, Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), hanging scroll, ink on silk, Overall: 114.70 x 59.70 cm (45 1/8 x 23 1/2 inches). Gift from the Collection of George Gund III 2015.517. Photograph © Asian Art Museum.