Modern Collection
The Luce Center maintains an extensive collection of works by modern masters, including Louise Nevelson, Sister Mary Carita, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, and many others. From paintings and drawings to sculpture and mixed-media, each piece in this diverse collection—anchored by the impressive Peterson collection—shines a spotlight on religion in modern art.
The Ralph & Birgitta Peterson Collection
of Modern Religious Art
In 2019, Rev Dr. Ralph Peterson donated a major collection of art related to religion and spirituality, collected with his late wife Dr. Birgitta Peterson. The collection was largely amassed during Peterson’s leadership of Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church in Manhattan. Under his leadership, the community built a landmark modern church designed by Hugh Stubbins and Easley Hamner, and commissioned an immersive sculptural chapel by Louise Nevelson, one of the twentieth century’s most important artists. Peterson presided over an impressive arts program that witnessed performances and readings by Edward Albee and Kurt Vonnegut, and numerous jazz legends including Duke Ellington.
The Petersons’ gift to Wesley includes original sculptures and paintings by Louise Nevelson, Brother Eric of Taizé, Thomas Lanigan-Schmidt, and Todd Siler as well as original prints by Marc Chagall, Georges Rouault, Georges Braque, and pop artist Sister Mary Carita. The Petersons also developed a deep interest in works by non-Western artists, including a diverse assembly of Coptic icons, Ethiopian processional crosses, Navajo weavings, and Latin American devotional paintings. Birgitta was also an artist herself and several of her weavings are on display and available for liturgical use.
Location: Kresge main hallway and narthex/entry space to the Chapel.
Modern Collection Highlights
Georges Rouault, Head of Christ, 1938, color aquatint.
Andy Warhol, Last Supper, 2008, posthumous edition based on 1986 screen print, acrylic on fiberglass.
Georges Braque, Chapelle St. Bernard, c. 1964, color print on embossed paper.
Marc Chagall, Creation, 1960, lithograph.
Georges Rouault, Jeanne D'Arc, c. 1940s, lithograph.
Louise Nevelson, City-Sunscape, 1979, wood, polyester resin with black enamel.
Brother Eric of Taizé, Holy City, 1978, oil on canvas.
Henri Matisse, Study for St. Dominic, c. 1951, lithograph.