Buddha and Shiva, Lotus and Dragon:

Masterworks from the Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection at Asia Society

Saturday, June 25, 2022 to Sunday, September 18, 2022

This exhibition will present 67 masterpieces collected by John D. Rockefeller III (1906–1978) and his wife Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller (1909–1992), illuminating the cultures and history of Asia. This important collection underscores art’s capacity to encourage cross-cultural dialogue and influence economic and public policy. The selection of sculptures, bronzes, and ceramics ranges from the late 6th century BCE to the early 19th century CE, and originates from Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet, and Vietnam.

The Rockefellers believed that by building a collection of the highest quality and sharing it with the public, they could educate Americans about the importance and diversity of Asian art, as a means to elevate their understanding of Asian cultures and create bridges to future economic and sociopolitical dialogue and engagement. Sherman E. Lee (1918–2008), an important art museum director and scholar of Asian art, worked with the Rockefellers as an advisor to their collection, and his influence will be addressed throughout this exhibition. The collection was bequeathed to Asia Society in New York City following Mr. Rockefeller’s death in 1978.

Click here to buy the exhibition catalouge, now available in the Cummer Shop.

Click here for the exhibition label booklet.

Click here for printable bookmarks featuring Adult & Family readling lists, in partnership with the Jacksonville Public Library.

This exhibition is co-organized by the American Federation of Arts and Asia Society Museum. The national tour of the exhibition is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. 

Exhibition Planning & Community Advisory Committee 

Kamesh Aysola
Charmaine Chiu 
Teresa Radzinski
Preeti Swani
William Vasana
Wenying Xu
Kie Young

Exhibition Season Presenter

City of Jacksonville
Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville                                     
Lory Doolittle
Ronald and Karen Rettner 

Exhibition Lead Sponsor

State of Florida                                                                           
The Robert D. Davis Family Endowment 
The Schultz Family Endowment

Exhibition Sponsor

Director’s Circle Donors at the Cummer Museum              
The Winston Family Foundation
Dita Domonkos