backstory: Remembering Margot Linton

Looking through old photos a few months ago with Neuberger Museum archivist Samantha Bogner in preparation for the Friends 50th Birthday party on June 11 (to which you are all invited), we came across this photo of Cleve Gray—whose monumental painting, Threnody, is currently on view—with Margot Linton, the first chair of the Board of the Friends of the Neuberger Museum of Art.

Margot passed away on Friday.

I didn’t know Margot well as many of you did. I met her only once, several years ago, at a Neuberger gala. She was delightful, and I was so glad that she was able to join us.

Margot will be dearly missed. Her legacy is wide and deep, for the arts in general, as you can read here, and specifically for the Neuberger. In fact, she hosted the very first meeting of the Friends at her home in 1972. And as the first chair, she was one of the signatories of their founding documents.

Margot is featured prominently in the exhibition we have on view right now, celebrating works that have come into the collection through the efforts of the Friends. She and her husband, Robert, were great supporters of the College and the Museum, donating several objects to the Neuberger over the course of their lifetimes. We remain grateful to them for the many formative ways in which they contributed to the success of the Museum.

Our deepest condolences to Margot’s family and friends.

Tracy Fitzpatrick
Director, Neuberger Museum of Art

Find me on Twitter @tracyfitzart