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From May 8 through July 10, 2026, New York University and The Berkley Collection will present The Declaration of Independence: Long Trail to Liberty. For extended hours and more, visit theberkley.org.

 Grey Art Museum programming will resume on September 9, 2026, with by Alison Knowles: A Retrospective (1960–2022) and Making Music: Helen Frankenthaler Prints from the New York University Art Collection.
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An art gallery interior with varied artworks on display, including framed paintings, a wooden sculpture, and a display table with a glass case.
Modernisms: Iranian, Turkish, and Indian Highlights from NYU’s Abby Weed Grey Collection at Grey Art Museum, NYU, 2019.… Modernisms: Iranian, Turkish, and Indian Highlights from NYU’s Abby Weed Grey Collection at Grey Art Museum, NYU, 2019. Photo: Nicholas Papananias

The New York University Art Collection

The NYU Art Collection, which the Grey Art Museum has stewarded since its opening in 1975, was initiated in 1958 with Francis Picabia’s Résonateur (c. 1922) and Fritz Glarner’s Relational Painting (1949–50). Today, the collection includes nearly 7,000 objects and is primarily composed of late-19th- and 20th-century works, ranging from Pablo Picasso’s monumental public sculpture Bust of Sylvette (1968), to one of Joseph Cornell's boxes, Chocolat Menier (1952), to a bronze Heech sculpture (1972) by Iranian modernist Parviz Tanavoli. The NYU Art Collection includes major donated acquisitions, such as the Abby Weed Grey Collection of Modern Asian and Middle Eastern Art and the Cottrell-Lovett Collection. 

 

Explore a partial list of artists in the NYU Art Collection at the bottom of this page.

The collection’s particular strength is American painting from the 1940s to the present, with works by such well-known artists as Romare Bearden, Helen Frankenthaler, Arshile Gorky, Adolph Gottlieb, Louise Nevelson, Kenneth Noland, and Ad Reinhardt. European prints are also well represented, with works by Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, and Picasso, to name a few. 

When Abby Weed Grey endowed the Grey Art Museum in 1974, she expanded the NYU Art Collection with a gift of some 1,000 works of modern art that she acquired during her frequent travels in Asia and the Middle East. Truly an unparalleled and unique resource, the Abby Weed Grey Collection of Modern Asian and Middle Eastern Art includes some of the largest institutional holdings of Iranian, Indian, and Turkish modern art outside those countries.

One focus of Grey Art Museum acquisitions is art that has emerged from downtown New York’s creative milieu, as seen in works by Norman Bluhm, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Deborah Kass, and Glenn Ligon, among others. In 2022 the museum announced a major gift of over 200 works by downtown New York artists from longtime art patrons and social activists Dr. James Cottrell and Mr. Joseph Lovett.

Featured Artworks

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Spherical sculpture composed of a central light wooden ball densely tacked with steel nails; a large area of the wooden orb is not covered with nails and is visible to viewers.
Mahmud Ahmadi, Construction, 1966. Wood and steel nails, 8 in. diameter. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art…
A star-shaped arrangement of colorful circular lights on a dark background. Alt-text generated by AI.
Tom Lloyd, Moskee, 1967–68. Electronic sculpture, 36 x 40 1/4 x 4 7/8 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art…
An all black sculpture of various geometric forms arranged in rectangular compartments resembling a city skyline. Alt-text generated by AI.
Louise Nevelson, The Tropical Gardens, 1957. Painted wood construction, 99 x 133 1/8 x 9 in. Grey Art Museum, New York…
Abstract bronze sculpture on a black cubic base with interlocking, curved forms and hollow circles.
Parviz Tanavoli, Heech, 1972. Bronze on wood base, overall 22 1/4 x 12 x 8 in., base 5 x 5 x 5 in. Grey Art Museum, New York…
Bronze sculpture with a grid-like cage structure enclosing an abstract form.
Parviz Tanavoli, A Cage for Letter H, 1970. Bronze, 7 x 5 1/8 x 4 7/8 in. Grey Art Gallery, New York University Art…
Ceramic bird sculpture with brown and white geometric patterns.
Parviz Tanavoli, Chicken, n.d. Glazed ceramic, 12 x 10 x 6 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art Collection. Abby…
Abstract reddish-brown metal relief with animal-like figures.
Parviz Tanavoli, Confrontation, 1967. Hammered copper, 27 1/2 x 27 1/2 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art…
Abstract white, black, and blue ceramic sculpture of a humanoid figure with a bull-like creature.
Parviz Tanavoli, Darius the Great, 1963. Glazed ceramic, 27 1/2 x 28 x 20 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University. Gift of…
Abstract ceramic sculpture with white, blue, and black colors on four metallic legs.
Parviz Tanavoli, Fabulous Beast, 1961. Glazed ceramic and copper, 28 x 22 1/2 x 12 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University…
Artwork featuring beige forms resembling hands within a square grid on an off-white background.
Parviz Tanavoli, Hands of a Poet, 1966. Painted wood and plaster construction, 47 3/4 x 32 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. Grey Art Museum,…
A yellow ceramic cube with square openings and a blue abstract Persian calligraphic heech form inside.
Parviz Tanavoli, Heech in a Cage, n.d. Glazed ceramic, 7 3/8 x 4 3/4 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art…
Rectangular bronze sculpture with grid patterns and three locks on a stone pedestal.
Parviz Tanavoli, Heech Tablet, 1973. Bronze on travertine base, 71 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 11 7/8 in. Grey Art Museum, New York…
A square, golden-bronze artwork with a circular opening filled with small, metallic locks.
Parviz Tanavoli, Here No One Opens Any Gates, 1970. Bronze, 20 5/8 x 20 5/8 x 3 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art…
Bronze abstract sculpture on a rectangular base, featuring a geometric human-like form with tubular arms and a triangular body.
Parviz Tanavoli, I Desire My Beloved, 1969. Bronze on travertine stone base, 20 1/2 x 11 1/4 x 5 3/4 in. Grey Art Museum,…
Cream-colored abstract ceramic sculpture with black and green details and Persian calligraphic text.
Parviz Tanavoli, I Want My Dear, 1971. Glazed and painted ceramic, 17 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 8 1/4 in. Grey Art Museum, New York…
Abstract green ibex sculpture on a stone base.
Parviz Tanavoli, Ibex, 1970. Bronze on travertine base, 12 x 4 x 6 1/4 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art…
Ceramic sculpture with spherical and rectangular forms in white, blue, and gray.
Parviz Tanavoli, Poet and Prophet, n.d. Glazed ceramic, 7 x 10 x 4 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art Collection.…
Abstract ceramic sculpture resembling a four-legged creature with pointed ears and a long tail, in white, black, and blue hues.
Parviz Tanavoli, Poet and Prophet, n.d. Glazed ceramic, 10 x 13 x 8 1/2 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art…
Abstract ceramic sculpture resembling a four-legged creature with white and dark blue-black markings.
Parviz Tanavoli, Poet and Prophet or Dog #1, n.d. Glazed ceramic, 7 1/2 x 11 1/2 x 6 in. Grey Art Museum, New York…
Bronze sculpture resembling a mechanical object with cylindrical and cubical components.
Parviz Tanavoli, Poet and the Horizontal Beloved, 1963. Bronze, 15 3/4 x 12 3/8 x 24 1/2 in. Grey Art Museum, New York…
Bronze sculpture with bird with raised tail feathers perched on a humanoid figure standing atop a wooden pedestal.
Parviz Tanavoli, Poet in Love with Bird, 1961. Bronze on wood base, 15 x 5 3/4 x 3 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University…
Abstract ceramic sculpture resembling a four-legged creature with dark patches on a light ground.
Parviz Tanavoli, Painter Dog, n.d. Glazed ceramic, 6 x 13 x 3 1/2 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art Collection.…
Sculpture of a T-shaped column with beige and turquoise accents and decorative symbols.
Parviz Tanavoli, Prophet in Love, n.d. Glazed ceramic (four pieces), 37 x 26 x 13 1/2 in. Grey Art Museum, New York…
Abstract ceramic sculpture resembling a four-legged creative with beige and dark brown patches on cream-colored ground.
Parviz Tanavoli, Round Head Dog, n.d. Glazed ceramic, 5 3/4 x 10 1/2 x 4 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art…
Tall sculptural artwork with geometric black patterns on a white base, topped by a hand motif.
Parviz Tanavoli, Shirin, Beloved of King, 1963. Glazed ceramic and metal, 59 1/2 x 14 x 14 in. Grey Art Museum, New York…
Abstract artwork with textured metal-like materials, including something resembling a necklace, in a wooden frame.
Parviz Tanavoli, Shirin's Necklace, 1964. Mixed-media relief, 11 x 9 1/2 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art…
Tall abstract sculpture of a humanoid figure with clawed feet, a rectangular body, and raised hand perched atop
Parviz Tanavoli, Song of Life, 1963. Copper, steel, glass and wax apple, 79 3/8 x 16 x 8 in. Grey Art Museum, New York…
Bronze sculpture resembling an ornate chair with a tall backrest and decorative features.
Parviz Tanavoli, The Beloved of a Chair, 1972. Bronze, 7 1/2 x 5 1/4 x 3 3/4 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art…
Bronze sculpture consisting of interconnected shapes, including rectangular and elongated forms, suggesting a complex, woven structure. The sculpture is on a wooden rectangular base.
Parviz Tanavoli, The Lock of Love, 1972. Bronze on wood base, 5 1/4 x 7 1/8 x 2 1/4 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University…
Bronze abstract sculpture with geometric forms on a black wooden base.
Parviz Tanavoli, The Prophet, 1964. Bronze on wood base, 22 1/2 x 9 3/4 x 6 1/2 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art…
Bronze abstract sculpture with cuboid features and a horn-like extension, on a marble rectangular base.
Parviz Tanavoli, Untitled (from the Nightingale Cage series), n.d. Brass on marble base, 9 1/2 x 7 x 2 1/2 in. Grey Art…
Yellow ceramic sculpture in the abstracted form of a bird, with black accents.
Parviz Tanavoli, Untitled (Yellow Bird), n.d. Glazed ceramic, 10 x 11 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University…
Bronze sculpture comprised of stacked geometric forms with geometric cutouts, on a stone base.
Parviz Tanavoli, We are Happy Locked Within Holes, 1970. Bronze on travertine base, 30 x 7 1/4 x 10 3/4 in. Grey Art Museum,…
Artwork made of six open books with red ribbons, arranged vertically on a dark wooden background.
Siah Armajani, Warren Report, 1965. Books, wood, ribbon, and wax, 46 1/2 x 32 3/4 x 2 3/4 in. Grey Art Museum, New York…
The image features a mixed-media artwork set within a wooden frame. The top section contains a series of overlapping paper cards with faded handwriting, organized neatly at the back of the frame. The middle includes a horizontal section composed of tightly bound thread. Below, there is a large panel of dark brown velvet fabric featuring a series of evenly spaced folds or pleats running vertically down the center. At the bottom of the art piece, a small cylindrical metal object is placed horizontally.
Bijan Dowlatshahi, Untitled, 1973. Wood construction with paper, thread, velvet and metal objects, 18 1/2 x 16 1/8 x 2 7/8…
Artwork with a textured, rust-colored metallic surface and a central vertical line of circular perforations, surrounded by a hammered impression of a diamond shape.
Ru'in Pakbaz, Ode To The Moon, 1972. Hammered and punctured copper, 19 1/4 x 19 1/4 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University…
Artwork with a textured, rust-colored metallic surface and a central vertical line of circular perforations. The work has been hammered to create two opposing triangular shapes that converge towards the middle
Ru'in Pakbaz, Ode To The Sun, 1972. Hammered and punctured copper, 19 1/4 x 19 1/4 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University…
Metal sculpture of a humanoid figure with a textured, angular appearance and elongated limbs, holding a flat object.
Esmail Tavakoli, Lehafdooz (Quiltmaker), 1973. Iron, 18 1/4 x 16 1/2 x 11 7/8 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art…
A metal sculpture of a human figure holding a spear-shaped object in a dynamic pose.
Esmail Tavakoli, Nanva (Baker), 1973. Iron, 8 1/2 x 17 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art Collection.…
Sculpture of a heroic, warriorlike figure made of textured metal, holding a shield and arrows.
Esmail Tavakoli, Rustam with Mace (Legendary Hero), n.d. Welded metal steel, 13 1/2 x 6 x 3 1/2 in. Grey Art Museum, New…
Metal sculpture of a longhaired goat made from elongated, textured metal rods.
Esmail Tavakoli, The Goat, 1973. Iron, 9 1/2 x 17 x 12 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art Collection. Gift of Abby…
Artwork of a grid with 11 egg-shaped reliefs on a textured, gray background, featuring a gold-framed center.
Hamid Zarrine-Afsar, La Pomme de Terre d'Or, 1971. Painted wood and plaster construction, 43 x 27 1/2 x 2 in. Grey Art…
A grid of 36 squares with one distinct square inthe bottom left corner bearing an apple shape, set in a wooden frame.
Hamid Zarrine-Afsar, Temptation, 1970. Latex paint on plaster and wood construction, 31 x 31 in. Grey Art Museum, New York…
Square artwork with rounded plaster apple forms embedded and arranged in an approximate grid pattern.
Hamid Zarrine-Afsar, Temptation, 1970. Latex paint on plaster and wood, 12 1/2 x 12 3/8 x 2 1/2 in. Grey Art Museum, New…
A tall brown sculpture with geometric shapes and carvings. Alt-text generated by AI.
Dhanraj Bhagat, Symbols, 1968. Wood and nails, 48 x 7 3/4 x 4 3/4 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art Collection.…
Bronze sculpture with layered metal strips creating a textured and complex appearance. Alt-text generated by AI.
Bernard (Tony) Rosenthal, Sculpture Sketch, 1960. Brass, 12 1/2 x 10 x 4 in. Grey Art Museum, New York University Art…

Collection Highlights

Artists in the Collection

Shiva Ahmadi

Mahmud Ahmadi

Nevzat Akoral

Ambadas

Jaya Appasamy

Siah Armajani

Mustafa Aslier

Milton Avery

Donald Baechler

Jamal Bakhshpour

Prabhakar Barwe

Romare Bearden

Aliye Berger

Nurullah Berk

Sabri Berkel

Sadan Bezeyis

Dhanraj Bhagat

Norman Bluhm

Ilya Bolotowsky

James Brown

Ali Avni Çelebi

Joseph Cornell

Bimal Das Gupta

Shanti Dave

Elaine De Kooning

Willem De Kooning

Sonia Delaunay

Nejad Melih Devrim

Kamran Diba

Bijan Dowlatshahi

Âbidin Elderoğlu

Devrim Erbil

Cemil Eren

Ahmad Esfandiari

Mustafa Esirkus

Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu

Eren Eyüboğlu

Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian

Roland Flexner

Helen Frankenthaler

Adam Fuss

Mansour Ghandriz

Fritz Glarner

Gündüz Gölünü

Behrooz Golzari

Arshile Gorky

Adolph Gottlieb

Marcos Grigorian

Satish Gujral

Ahmet Gürsoy

Grace Hartigan

Mary Heilmann

Al Held

Hans Hofmann

Somnath Hore

Peter Hujar

Maqbool Fida Husain

Nevin Islek

Mahmud Javadipur

Özer Kabaş

Ercüment Kalmık

Deborah Kass

Alex Katz

Hasan Kavruk

Fethi Kayaalp

Hossein Kazemi

Adrian Kellard

Krishen Khanna

Hossein Khatayi

Sumbat Kiureghian

Füreya Koral

Chitrangada Krishna

Devayani Krishna

Kanwal Krishna

Nicholas Krushenick

Ram Kumar

Yayoi Kusama

Glenn Ligon

Tom Lloyd

Sirous Malek

Édouard Manet

Robert Mapplethorpe

Agnes Martin

Seyhoun Masoumeh

Henri Matisse

Suzanne McClelland

Anjolie Ela Menon

Joan Mirò

Morteza Momayez

Robert Motherwell

Mir-Hossein Mousavi (Khameneh)

Louise Nevelson

Kenneth Noland

Nasser Ovissi

Ru'in Pakbaz

Francis Picabia

Pablo Picasso

Faramarz Pilaram

Robert Rauschenberg

Krishna Reddy

Ad Reinhardt

Bernard (Tony) Rosenthal

Behjat Sadr

Mohan Samant

Gulam Rasool Santosh

Sohrab Sepehri

Cindy Sherman

Laurie Simmons

Philip Smith

Francis Newton Souza

Mumtaz Sultan Ali

Vivan Sundaram

Jazeh Tabatabai

Sadegh Tabrizi

Parviz Tanavoli

Esmail Tavakoli

Adnan Turani

Jehangir P. Vazifdar

Kara Walker

Hamid Zarrine-Afsar

Fahrelnissa Zeid

Charles Hossein Zenderoudi