Reknowned art collectors Dorothy and Herb Vogel amassed one of the most important collections of contemporary art on a librarian and postal clerk’s salary, and then donated the entirety to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, and to museums in 50 states. We spoke with Dorothy Vogel, who has been buying art with husband Herb since the early 60s, about her experiences, detailed in the recent documentary “Herb & Dorothy.”
Q: How did the many artists whose works you collected react to the donation of the artwork to the National Gallery and the Vogel 50/50?
Dorothy Vogel: Everyone was excited about the National Gallery but some were skeptical about the 50/50 project. Now that the project turned out to be successful everyone is pleased.
Q: How did you react to director Megumi Sasaki approaching you to film this project? Did you have any indication of the scale of the film over so many years?
DV: We didn’t think she could do it – didn’t think she could raise the money, didn’t know how long it would take. She didn’t either.
Q: Did you expect that the rest of the world would catch on to the minimalist and conceptual art movement when you first began collecting?
DV: Had no idea.
Q: Had you ever gifted any of your artwork before the massive undertaking with the National Gallery?
DV: No.
Q: The film touches on your love for animals. Were any pieces ever damaged by a pet during your many years of collecting?
DV: The cats did not do anything since we were protective of our works, but the fish in the fish tank – someone splashed water on a Warhol poster in the back of the tank and we had to get the watermark removed.
Q: Did either of you ever consider applying your discerning eye for art toward a job in a gallery?
DV: No.
Q: Do you feel that art collecting is still for everyone or has the market changed drastically since you began your collection?
DV: Think – If you want to collect, you can and will – if you really want to.
Q: What advice would you offer to a beginner interested in collecting?
DV: Buy what you love.