J ay I. Kislak (1922–2018) lived an extraordinary—and extraordinarily productive—life. He brought remarkable energy and passion to a wide array of endeavors—collecting, education, aviation, business, and philanthropy. Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, Jay joined the realty firm founded by his father in 1906. After graduating from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and serving as a Naval Aviator during World War II, Jay expanded the family’s business to Miami, where the Kislak Organization quickly became an integral part of South Florida’s business, civic, and cultural fabric.
A nascent collector when he moved to Miami in the early 1950s, the historical milieu of Florida inspired Jay’s greatest achievement as a collector: the more than 4,000 books, manuscripts, maps, and artifacts documenting the history and cultures of Florida, the Caribbean, and Mesoamerica that were given to the Library of Congress.
But Jay’s collecting and his philanthropy extended far beyond this spectacular gift to the nation. From Impressionist, Modern, and Contemporary art to Prints, Photographs, Important Design, and Books and Manuscripts, a multitude of Sotheby’s departments will be called on to offer the current consignment of works from the Collection of Jay I. Kislak. Highlights include Richard Diebenkorn’s Berkeley Six, Raoul Dufy’s Les Martigues, Mary Cassatt’s Girl in a Hat with a Black Ribbon, Diego Giacometti’s exceptional “Hommage à Böcklin” console, William Bourne’s A Regiment for the Sea and Daniel Giraud Elliot’s Monograph of the Felidae or Family of Cats.
Jay’s generosity was widespread and, in addition to the Library of Congress, was bestowed upon numerous institutions of higher learning, including the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Miami, Miami Dade College, Florida State University and the University of Florida.
The Kislak Family Foundation has taken up the mantle of Jay’s many interests and its mission is to support leadership and innovation in the fields of education, the arts and humanities, animal welfare, and environmental preservation. This series of Sotheby’s sales, which also includes property from the corporate collection of J. I. Kislak, Inc., will assist the foundation in continuing to fulfill Jay’s vision and carry on his good works.
Indeed, Jay’s philanthropic endeavors were as diverse as his collecting interests—and the wide range of his collecting will be revealed in the many varied auctions that will include property from the Collection of Jay I. Kislak.
Collection Highlights
Auction Calendar
| September–October 2021 Impressionist & Modern Art, New York | September 17-27 Contemporary Art Online, New York | September 23-October 4 Contemporary Photographs, New York | September 24-October 5 Classic Photographs, New York | September 28-October 5 Contemporary Art Evening, London | October 14 Prints Online Part I, New York | October 15-21 | November–December 2021 Modern Evening Auction, New York, November, 2021 Contemporary Art Day, New York, November, 2021 Impressionist & Modern Art Day Online, New York, November, 2021 American Art, New York, November, 2021 Art of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas Online, New York, November, 2021 Russian Art, London, November, 2021 Prints & Multiples Online, New York, December, 2021 Important Design, New York, December, 2021 | January–April 2022 Important Americana Online, New York, January, 2022 Old Master Drawings, New York, January 2022 Old Master Paintings Day Online, New York, January 2022 Printed and Manuscript Americana Online, New York, January 2022 Important Chinese Works of Art, New York, March 2022 Made in Britain Online, London, March 2022 Books and Manuscripts from the Collection of Jay I. Kislak. Sold to Benefit the Kislak Family Foundation. New York, 26 April 2022 |
