De Saisset Museum

De Saisset Museum

Established	1955(1955)
Location	Santa Clara, California,U.S.
Coordinates	37.35230°N 121.93819°W/37.35230; -121.93819
Type	Art museum
Accreditation	American Association of Museums
Founder	Isabel de Saisset

Thede Saisset MuseumatSanta Clara Universityopened in 1955, after Isabel de Saisset, the last member of a California pioneer family bequeathed her estate to the University of Santa Clara.The museum owns nearly 10,000 art pieces and historical artifacts, including the work of early Californian artist and university alumnusErnest de Saissetand a considerable collection of California mission artifacts. The de Saisset recently completed a major renovation of its storage facilities and is open to the public free of charge.

About the museum

The 19,210-square-foot (1,785 m²) building is located in front ofMission Santa Clara de Asísand has been a part of the university campus since 1955. It is one of only two museums in theSan Josearea accredited by theAmerican Alliance of Museums.

The museum is housed in a three level building that conforms with theMission Styleprevalent on the Santa Clara campus and bears the de Saissetfamily crestabove the foyer door. The ground floor holds a foyer, several rooms for visiting exhibits, and a large lecture hall for presentations and activities. The upstairs includes room for exhibits from the permanent collection and a bathroom, and the basement displays historical artifacts, artwork from the permanent collection, and houses viewing drawers for many of the European prints.

History

de Saisset family

See also:Ernest de Saisset

Ernest de Saisset,self-portraitfrom circa 1895.

Pedro de Alcântara Brasileiro de Saisset was born in Paris, France, the illegitimate son ofPedro I & IV,King of PortugalandEmperor of Brazil,and his mistress Henrietta Josephine Mees Saisset.He emigrated fromFrancenear the time of thegold rushintending to capitalize on the newfound wealth in the region. While in the area, he served as a consular representative in San Jose and founded theBrush Electric Lightcompany in San Jose, California.While in San Jose, de Saisset married with Maria de Jesus (Jesusita) Palomares (1832–1907) and had four children together: Henrietta, Ernest, Pierre, and Isabel.

Of these children, Henrietta was the only one to marry, and none of the siblings had any children of their own. Ernest was the oldest of the children and began his education atSanta Clara Collegewhen he was sixteen. He continued as a student for three years, showing potential in French and drawing. During the final year of his studies, Ernest studied painting with Fr. Bartholomew Tortone, who approved of his work. Since art instructors were in short supply in pioneer California, the de Saisset family sent Ernest toParisfor further study in art atAcadémie Julian.In 1895, he returned to California; however, he died four years later in 1899.

Museum history

Portrait of DonFrancisco Pérez Pacheco;oil on canvas byLeonardo Barbieri,1852.

Before her death in 1950, Isabel de Saisset informed the president and governing board of the University of Santa Clara of her wish to donate family real estate and the family art collection for the purpose of constructing a gallery and museum. Many of her personal items—jewels, silver, and tapestries—were also donated. Since that time, the museum has expanded its collections to include many objects from the United States and abroad.

The museum was opened in 1955.

"Highlights of the de Saisset’s permanent collection includeRenaissance,Baroque,Rococo,and 19th century prints by artists such asAlbrecht Dürer,William Hogarth,andGiovanni Battista Piranesi.Modernist prints in the de Saisset Collection include works byMarc Chagall,Henri Matisse,andPablo Picasso."The museum also houses important collections of contemporary prints and photographs.

See also

• Triton Museum of Art

External links

• deSaisset official website
• de Saisset Family Papersat Santa Clara University