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Throwback Thursday: Live Auction of Artists’ Valentines in 1985

February 9, 2017

Guests at an Affair of the Heart on February 9, 1985. (In the background is Morgan Russell's Synchromy in Orange: To Form, 1913–14, in the Albright-Knox's collection.) Image courtesy of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery Digital Assets Collection and Archives, Buffalo, New York.

On February 9, 1985, the Albright-Knox presented An Affair of the Heart, a live auction of artists’ valentines to benefit the museum. It featured new works created specifically for the benefit and donated to the museum by 71 artists whose works are in the Albright-Knox’s collection, including Harvey Breverman, Nancy Graves, Bryan Hunt, Donald Judd, Beverly Pepper, and Tom Wesselmann. The works—many featuring a heart motif—were on view to the public before the auction, from January 29 through February 8.

Albright-Knox Director Douglas G. Schultz and a guest look at works for auction as part of An Affair of the Heart on February 9, 1985. Image courtesy of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery Digital Assets Collection and Archives, Buffalo, New York.

Works for auction as part of An Affair of the Heart on February 9, 1985. Image courtesy of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery Digital Assets Collection and Archives, Buffalo, New York.

Works for auction as part of An Affair of the Heart on February 9, 1985. Image courtesy of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery Digital Assets Collection and Archives, Buffalo, New York.

Works for auction as part of An Affair of the Heart on February 9, 1985. Image courtesy of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery Digital Assets Collection and Archives, Buffalo, New York.