Remembering Peter Vogt (1926-2013)

All of us at the Burchfield Penney Art Center are deeply saddened by the passing of Peter Vogt (1926-2013), art patron, collector and philanthropist. Peter’s relationship to the Burchfield Penney goes back to the founding of the Center. He was a dear friend and supporter of Dr. Edna Lindemann and the vision of the founders of the Burchfield Center to create a museum for Western New York art and was one of the first chairs of the Burchfield Art Center Council.

Peter Vogt, along with the support of his family, donated to the Burchfield Penney twenty-nine artworks over the years, starting with a gift in 1972 of two works by the artist Lars Gustav Sellstedt (1819-1911), president of the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy from 1876-77. The gift of these works was particularly meaningful because of the Burchfield Penney’s dedication to the art of Western New York, and Sellstedt was the author of the first book of art in the region, Art in Buffalo in 1910. Peter, like Sellstedt, was profoundly dedicated the art and artists of Buffalo. His support collections and exhibitions of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Burchfield Penney is only equal in his role of patron to artists, as he created significant collections of regional and international significance.

Peter’s love of art motivated him to share his works with the public. His gifts to the Burchfield Penney’s collection represent 127 years of artistic creation. Starting with Hamilton Hamilton’s Near Portage, New York,1875 (the oldest work in the Burchfield Penney Collection) and through to a work from 2002 by Bridgette Robinson.

Today, the Collection Study Gallery stands in memorial to the vision of generosity of Peter Vogt and his family. Our museum—and our community—are better for his being part of it. Rest in Peace Peter.

With love and gratitude from the staff of the Burchfield Penney Art Center