The Family of Ileana Sonnabend Donates Robert Rauschenberg's Canyon to The Museum of Modern Art

Glenn D. Lowry, Director of The Museum of Modern Art, announces the gift of Robert Rauschenberg'sCanyon (1959) to MoMA by the family of legendary gallerist Ileana Sonnabend. Canyon is one of Robert Rauschenberg's best-known Combines–a term the artist invented to describe works that combine art materials and a rich variety of other elements. It had been in Sonnabend's collection from the year of its creation until the dealer's death in 2007.

"Canyon is a glorious landmark of 20th-century art," said Mr. Lowry. "We are profoundly grateful to the family of Ileana Sonnabend for this extraordinarily important addition to MoMA's collection, which will be enjoyed by generations of visitors to the Museum."

"We and our families are delighted with the agreement with MoMA and the fact that this important work of art, which meant a great deal to our mother, will be on display for the general public," said Sonnabend's children Nina Sundell and Antonio Homem. 

Canyon joins five other Combines in MoMA's collection that form an in-depth context for this key area of Rauschenberg's work: Bed (1955), a gift from Leo Castelli in honor of Alfred H. Barr, Jr. in 1989; Rebus (1955); Rhyme (1956); Factum II (1957); and First Landing Jump (1961).