Carolyn and Peter Lynch shared an extraordinary life together, traveling widely and exploring American art and culture for almost half a century. Their intellectual curiosity and love of people, nature and the places they chose to call home were the primary catalysts for their passionate collecting. The couple were active participants in the groundswell of interest in collecting American art that followed the bicentennial in 1976 and assembled a diversified collection of American paintings, sculpture, furniture, decorative art and Native American art spanning three centuries.

Their broad-ranging collection includes spectacular, classic furniture from Boston, New York and Philadelphia, works by American Impressionist master Childe Hassam, modern furniture master Sam Maloof, Massachusetts folk painter J.O.J. Frost, and pioneering landscape painter Martin Johnson Heade. Also included are significant works by Georgia O’Keeffe, Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent. By embracing an organic approach to collecting and by freely integrating multiple subjects, time frames and media, the Lynches created lively conversations about artistic creativity, regional styles and evolving traditions in America.

A Passion for American Art: Selections from the Carolyn and Peter Lynch Collection is organized by the Peabody Essex Museum. Jennifer and Andrew Borggaard, Kate and Ford O'Neil and the East India Marine Associates of the Peabody Essex Museum provided generous support.

Media Partners: The Boston Globe and WBUR

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