A Collection of True Gems

February 13 – May 30, 2027

As the Paine marks the 100th anniversary of the mansion’s groundbreaking, this exhibition highlights the original art collection assembled by founders Nathan and Jessie Kimberly Paine, a collection that helped establish the Paine’s identity as both a historic estate and an art museum.

About the Exhibition

During the mid-1920s, as plans for their English-style country estate took shape, the Paines began building an art collection that reflected their deep appreciation for beauty, culture, and nature. Drawn especially to French Barbizon and American landscape paintings of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, they sought works that celebrate the enduring appeal of nature and rural life. They envisioned their collection displayed in the mansion’s Main Gallery, as well as throughout the period rooms and hallways. Alongside decorative arts and furnishings, these carefully selected artworks helped shape the character and style of the home, creating a harmonious environment that continues to express our founders’ vision of art as an integral part of daily life.

The Paines acquired most of their collection from prominent dealers and galleries in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles between 1926 and 1929, just before the stock market crash transformed both the nation and the art market. They also purchased works directly from artists and commissioned pieces specifically for the estate. As Nathan Paine described in a letter from 1926, their goal was “to get together a collection of true gems.” Drawing on letters and records preserved in the archives, the exhibition reveals how Nathan and Jessie worked together as collectors, sharing a vision for a collection of exceptional quality and lasting significance. Visitors will discover the compelling stories behind some of the Paine’s most beloved artworks, many of which have remained here for nearly a century, including paintings by Jules Breton, Charles-François Daubigny, George Inness, Gilbert Stuart, Winslow Homer, and other renowned artists.

In 1946, the Paines gifted the mansion and its contents to the community as a private, non-profit institution. They aimed to create a place of beauty and inspiration where the public could enjoy exceptional art, architecture, and nature. Although the Paine’s collection has grown through important gifts and acquisitions over the decades, today’s permanent collection continues to reflect the spirit and themes of our founders’ extraordinary original gift. This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to rediscover the original collection and celebrate our founders’ lasting artistic legacy.