
The Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) is one of the largest art museums in the United States, with a rich history dating back to the establishment of the Dallas Art Association in 1903. The museum boasts an extensive collection of European art, including paintings from the Renaissance period. After a summer rehaul in 2019, the DMA reopened its European art galleries with a fresh interpretation of its collection, featuring rarely seen works, restored Old Master paintings, and modern masterpieces. The DMA's recent acquisition of a rare German Renaissance painting, along with its collection of Italian and Spanish Renaissance art, showcases its commitment to expanding its European Renaissance offerings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of European Renaissance paintings | Unknown, but the museum has a large collection of European art from the 16th century onwards |
| Artists featured | Canaletto, Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre, Claude-Joseph Vernet, Guillaume Lethière, Giulio Cesare Procaccini, Pietro Paolini, Nicolas Mignard, Jacques-Louis David, Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun, Joseph Mallord William Turner, Edouard Manet, Gustave Courbet, Rosa Bonheur, Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Naudline Pierre |
| Example painting names | Ecce Homo, A View from the Fondamenta Nuova, The Abduction of Europa, Mountain Landscape with Approaching Storm, Erminia and the Shepherds, Fox in the Snow, The Icebergs, Too Much, Not Enough |
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What You'll Learn

German Renaissance painting, 'The Descent from the Cross'
The Dallas Museum of Art has a rich collection of European art, with pieces dating back to the 16th century. One notable addition to their collection is the German Renaissance painting, The Descent from the Cross, by the obscure German artist Derick Baegert. This masterpiece, installed in the museum in 2019, is the first work by Baegert to be exhibited in any American museum. It is also the museum's first acquisition funded by the Marguerite and Robert Hoffman Fund.
Baegert, who lived in northwest Germany from around 1440 until 1515, created this painting in the late 15th century, around 1490. It is a large panel painting measuring 3 feet by 5 feet, and it beautifully captures the transitional moment between the late Gothic and early Renaissance periods. The work is characterised by Baegert's unique style, with imposing dimensions, intricate details, and portrait-like human figures that stand out from their setting.
The Descent from the Cross is believed to have been the right inside panel of a large triptych, with the central panel being a huge Calvary that was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1945 in Berlin's Gemäldegalerie museum. Baegert created this work in his studio in the Rhine Valley city of Wesel, which was an important centre for trade, industry, and agriculture during the late medieval and Renaissance periods. The city's devoutly Catholic population of the late 15th century adds liturgical significance to this work.
The acquisition of The Descent from the Cross by the Dallas Museum of Art is a testament to the museum's commitment to bolstering its Old Master collection. This painting fills a historical gap within their collection and introduces American audiences to a lesser-known master from the early Northern Renaissance. The work is located in the European Galleries on the second floor of the museum, alongside other notable European artworks.
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17th-century Spanish and Italian paintings
The Dallas Museum of Art's collection of European art starts in the 16th century and includes 17th-century Spanish paintings by Antonio de Pereda y Salgado (circa 1659) and Luis Ricardo Falero (1875). The collection also includes a growing collection of 19th- and 20th-century European paintings from various countries, including Italy and Spain.
The museum's collection of Italian art includes Italian Landscape by Hans Thoma, a 19th-century painting. The collection also includes earlier works, such as Bacchic Concert (1630) by Pietro Paolini.
The museum's collection of Spanish art includes a painting by Ramón Casas (circa 1895-1900). The collection also features 16th-century Spanish textiles.
The European Art Galleries on Level 2 were reinstalled in 2019 and feature a fresh interpretation of the Museum's European collection, including rarely shown works that have been restored for exhibition and a new presentation of Old Master paintings and sculptures. The galleries also integrate 32 Impressionist and modern masterworks gifted by Margaret and Eugene McDermott, featuring artists such as Edouard Manet, Pablo Picasso, and Henry Moore.
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19th-century French paintings
The Dallas Museum of Art has an extensive collection of European art, including notable 19th-century French paintings. The museum's 19th-century French art collection includes significant works such as "Silence" by sculptor Auguste Preault and "Fox in the Snow" (1860) by Gustave Courbet. Another masterpiece is Claude Monet's "The Seine at Lavacourt" (1880), a stunning example of Monet's talent. The museum also houses "The Icebergs" (1861) by Frederic Edwin Church, a painting long referred to as a lost masterpiece before it was given to the museum in 1979.
The Dallas Museum of Art's European art collection is renowned for its 19th-century French paintings and sculptures. The museum's European Art Galleries on Level 2 underwent a reinstallation in 2019, showcasing a fresh interpretation of the museum's collection. This includes rare and restored works from the 19th century, such as those by Jacques-Louis David, Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun, and Joseph Mallord William Turner. The collection also features sculptures by Auguste Rodin, including exceptional bronze casts and rare marble pieces.
The Wendy and Emery Reves Collection, gifted to the museum in 1985, further enhances the museum's 19th-century French art offerings. Housed in a reproduction of the couple's home in France, the collection includes works from leading impressionist and post-impressionist artists. Notable artists in this collection include Claude Monet, Edouard Manet, and Vincent van Gogh, among others.
The Dallas Museum of Art's 19th-century French paintings are a testament to the museum's commitment to showcasing a comprehensive view of the 19th-century European art scene. The museum's collection continues to grow and evolve, offering a rich artistic experience to its visitors. The museum's holdings of ancient American art, for example, cover over three millennia and include a diverse range of sculptures, prints, terracotta, and gold objects.
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19th-century European paintings from Denmark, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland
The Dallas Museum of Art has a growing collection of 19th-century European paintings from several countries, including Denmark, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland. The museum's collection of European art starts in the 16th century, with notable works from the 18th century by artists such as Canaletto and Claude-Joseph Vernet.
Among the 19th-century European paintings from Denmark in the museum's collection is Fredericksborg by Moonlight by Johan Christian Dahl. This painting captures the beauty of the Fredericksborg Castle, a Renaissance castle in Denmark, under the enchanting light of the moon. The collection also includes works from Belgium, such as Abundance by Léon Frédéric. This painting showcases the artist's unique style and often features lush and abundant nature scenes.
The German contribution to the 19th-century European art scene is represented by paintings such as Italian Landscape by Hans Thoma. Thoma was known for his realistic and detailed landscapes, often featuring Italian scenery. The Swiss artist Ferdinand Hodler adds to the collection with his work, The Halberdier. This painting showcases Hodler's unique style, often characterised by the use of clear, bold colours and strong brushstrokes.
The Dallas Museum of Art also boasts a diverse range of other 19th-century European artworks. This includes the French collection, with notable works such as Fox in the Snow by Gustave Courbet and The Seine at Lavacourt by Claude Monet. The museum also houses a terracotta bust from the mid-19th century, L'Alsace, by French sculptor Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse. This sculpture symbolises an idealised young woman from the Alsace region, reflecting the unique mix of French and German influences in that area.
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Impressionist and Modern masterworks
The Dallas Museum of Art boasts an extensive collection of European art, with particular strengths in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. The museum's European Art Galleries on Level 2 underwent a significant transformation in the summer of 2019, thanks to a generous bequest of 32 Impressionist and Modern masterworks by Margaret and Eugene McDermott. This addition not only enhanced the museum's European collection but also created a fresh interpretation of it.
The Impressionist and Modern masterworks bequeathed by the McDermotts include paintings by renowned artists such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Edvard Munch, Pablo Picasso, and Georges Braque. These works add to the museum's already impressive collection of French art from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
One of the standout pieces in the museum's Impressionist collection is "Fox in the Snow" (1860) by Gustave Courbet. This painting is one of four critically acclaimed works by the French Realist artist exhibited at the Salon of 1861. Courbet masterfully captures the tense vitality of a fox devouring its prey against a snowy backdrop, showcasing his adeptness at neutral palettes.
The Dallas Museum of Art also showcases a diverse range of modern artworks. The sculpture collection from the early 20th century is particularly noteworthy, featuring important works by pioneers such as Naum Gabo, Alberto Giacometti, Ben Nicholson, and Constantin Brâncuși. The collection of Piet Mondrian's works is also worth highlighting, including pieces like "The Windmill" (1908) and "Self-Portrait" (1942).
The Wendy and Emery Reves Collection, gifted to the museum in 1985, further enriches the Impressionist and Modern offerings. This collection, originally displayed in the couple's home in France, includes works from leading Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early Modernist artists. Among them are Paul Cézanne, Honoré Daumier, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Édouard Manet, Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Auguste Renoir, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and Vincent van Gogh.
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Frequently asked questions
The Dallas Museum of Art features a collection of Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces on the second floor of the museum. The collection includes works by artists such as Da Vinci and Botticelli.
The museum's collection of European art includes 19th-century French paintings by artists such as Gustave Courbet and Claude Monet. The museum also has a growing collection of 19th and 20th-century European paintings from Denmark, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland.
Yes, the museum has several notable paintings, including The Icebergs (1861) by Frederic Edwin Church, Fox in the Snow (1860) by Gustave Courbet, and Ecce Homo (1615-18) by Giulio Cesare Procaccini.











































