To Leave a Legacy—Stan and Nancy Kaplan
Stan and Nancy Kaplan
Over 27 years ago, Stan and Nancy Kaplan fell in love with The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Stan, a tram driver of “The Ring Around,” happily transported Ringling guests around campus from 1992-2001.The Kaplans remember well the years of exciting Medieval Fairs on the grounds, eating mangos from the trees in front of the Cottage, and getting to know people from all over the world.
Originally from Philadelphia, the Kaplans are still as in love with the Ringling Museum as they were then. So much so that they have decided to share their passion of collecting photography and Asian Scholars’ Rocks with visitors of The Ringling for generations to come.
Their incredible gift includes a prolific collection of photographs by prominent artists such as Eugène Atget, Imogen Cunningham, and Edward Weston as well as a fascinating collection of Scholars’ Rocks.
Additionally, the Kaplans have chosen to endow both a curatorial position at the Museum and a photography and media arts program. Their legacy will ensure that The Ringling can continue to build an outstanding collection of photography and media art and program ambitious exhibitions into the future.
Stan’s interest in photography began at age 10, when he built a darkroom in his house. Although, like many, he soon became frustrated by his skill at taking photographs, he was never deterred from appreciating photography. His first purchase was an Ansel Adams photograph roughly 30 years ago at an auction house in Philadelphia, and today, his collection is voluminous.
When asked to choose a favorite amongst their vast collection, Nancy immediately mentioned “Madame Bijoux”—a 1932 portrait by Brassai, which hangs in their kitchen. She loves the expressive quality of this work, also cites nudes by Ruth Bernhard, and prints from the Japanese artist Yoshitoshi’s “One Hundred Aspects of the Moon” series among her picks. Stan identified “Portrait of the Eternal,” a photograph of a famous Mexican actress who is caught in contemplation by Manuel Álvarez Bravo as one of his top choices. This photograph is currently on view as part of the “Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Specters and Parables” exhibition in the Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing.
Where does their tremendous Scholars’ Rocks collection come into play, you ask? One day while attending an art and antique fair at the Sarasota Art Center, Stan bought one for Nancy not having a clue what it was and he carried it home to surprise her. Nancy was extremely delighted—yet curious, and was determined to become her own Scholars’ Rocks scholar. Their collection now numbers more than 100 rocks, which will become part of The Ringling’s Asian art collection. Also known as “Gongshi,” the naturally occurring or shaped rocks are traditionally appreciated by Chinese scholars. They sit on bases that are custom carved to fit the rock and are named for the regions they originate from. The Kaplans donated a large limestone Scholars’ Rock to The Ringling in 2001, which is currently on display in the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Center for Asian Art.
When asked for suggestions on how others might amass a great collection, Stan and Nancy agreed that networking with others interested in the field had been very beneficial to them. Attending auctions and learning from other collectors have proven to be valuable experiences in both increasing their knowledge base and adding essential pieces to their collections. The Kaplans feel that working with Christopher Jones, who will be the first Stanton B. and Nancy W. Kaplan curator of photography and media arts at The Ringling, has been an important component in making the decision to make their gift to the Museum.
To learn more about impacting The Ringling, contact Michelle A. Young at 941-358-2611 or michelle.young@ringling.fsu.edu.
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