Denver Art Museum Voluntarily Returns Works Connected with Nancy Wiener Gallery

DENVER—Sept. 12, 2023—In collaboration with U.S. officials, the Denver Art Museum announced today it has voluntarily returned five artworks to federal authorities for their eventual return to their nations of origin.

In January 2023, the Denver Art Museum proactively contacted federal authorities with a list of artworks in its collection connected with late gallerist Doris Wiener and gallerist Nancy Wiener. Nancy Wiener was convicted in 2021 by the District Attorney of New York (DANY) for trafficking illicitly acquired works from India and SE Asia and fabricating false provenance. In July 2023, the museum deaccessioned five artworks, and has handed the pieces over to U.S. officials.

The five sculptures deaccessioned in July 2023 include:

  • Padmasambhava, Tibet, 15th century. 8.625 in. Bronze, silver, turquoise.
  • Vishvakarman, Khmer, Cambodia, late 12th century. Bayon period. 8.5 in. Bronze.
  • Shiva triad, Khmer, Cambodia, late 12th century. Bayon period. 11.75 in. Bronze.
  • Seated Buddha, Khmer, Cambodia, 11th century. Bronze.
  • Seated Buddha, Burma, 14 in. 16th century. Bronze.

The Denver Art Museum continues its commitment to ethical collection practices and engages in detailed provenance research for acquisitions as well as objects currently in its collection. The museum created a Provenance Research Department in 2022 to expand its capacity for this important work into expanding its knowledge around the objects in its collections. For more information and for updates about this ongoing work, please visit the museum’s Provenance Research information page at www.denverartmuseum.org/provenance. [Updated June 4, 2024, with collection images and known provenance.]

Seated gold buddha statue

Padmasambhava. Tibet. 15th century C.E. Bronze, silver, turquoise. 8.625” H x 5 ¼” W x 4” D. Gift of Mrs. Florence J. Reust in memory of her son, Mr. Ralph Jacobs. 1980.57. Deaccessioned July 2023.

Known Provenance: Doris Wiener [1923-2011] (Doris Wiener Gallery), New York; purchase with funds from Mrs. Florence J. Reust [1889-1989], Denver Art Museum, 1980. Bibliography: Denver Art Museum: Major Works I the Collection. Denver Art Museum, Hirmer Verlag GmbH, 1981, pp. 30-31.

Seated Buddha figure made out of bronze

Vishvakaman. Cambodia, Khmer, Bayon Period, late 12th century C.E. Bronze. 8 ½” H x 4 ¾”W x 4”. Gift of Nancy Wiener & Corwith Hamill. 2007.4273. Deaccessioned September 2021.

Known Provenance: Collection of Nancy Wiener (Nancy Weiner Gallery), New York, by 2007; Gifted to the Denver Art Museum, 2007. Bibliography: Bunker, Emmy and Douglas Latchford. Adoration and Glory: The Golden Age of Khmer Art. Art Media Resources. 2004.

Three statutes of Buddha figures on pedestals

Shiva Triad. Cambodia, Khmer, Bayon Period, late 12th century C.E. Bronze. Gift of Nancy Wiener & Corwith Hamill. 2007.4274. Deaccessioned September 2023.

Known Provenance: Collection of Nancy Wiener (Nancy Weiner Gallery), New York, by 2007; Gifted to the Denver ArtMuseum, 2007.

Bronze Buddha statue in a seated, legs-open position

Seated Buddha. Cambodia, Khmer. 11th century C.E. Bronze. 8 ½”H x 7” W x 3 ½”D. Gift of Nancy Wiener & Corwith Hamill. 2007.4275. Deaccessioned September 2021

Known Provenance: Collection of Nancy Wiener (Nancy Wiener Gallery), New York; Gifted to the Denver Art Museum, 2007

Seated Buddha statue on a chair with a tall back

Seated Buddha. Burma. Possibly 16th century C.E. Bronze. 14”H. Gift of Nancy Wiener in honor of Emmy Bunker. 2008.886A-B

Known Provenance: Collection of Nancy Wiener (Nancy Wiener Gallery), New York, since ca. 1978; Gifted to the Denver Art Museum, 2007

Seated gold buddha statue
Seated Buddha figure made out of bronze
Three statutes of Buddha figures on pedestals
Bronze Buddha statue in a seated, legs-open position
Seated Buddha statue on a chair with a tall back

About the Denver Art Museum

The Denver Art Museum is an educational, nonprofit resource that sparks creative thinking and expression through transformative experiences with art. Its mission is to enrich lives by sparking creative thinking and expression. Its holdings reflect the city and region—and provide invaluable ways for the community to learn about cultures from around the world. Metro residents support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), a unique funding source serving hundreds of metro Denver arts, culture and scientific organizations. For museum information, visit www.denverartmuseum.org or call 720-865-5000.

Media Resources

Media Contact

Andy Sinclair, Media Relations Manager
Denver Art Museum
720-913-0096
asinclair@denverartmuseum.org
pressoffice@denverartmuseum.org