The Sonia and Kaye Marvins Portrait Collection

In 1984, on the eve of the fortieth anniversary of their portrait studio, Kaye and Sonia Marvins proposed to build a photographic portrait collection for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Their passion to build this collection came from their long-standing interest in portrait photography and as Mr. Marvins explained, “because Houston Has been very good to my family and me, and we wanted to do something in return." Since the initial exhibition, the generosity of Sonia and Kaye Marvins, Michele and Michael Marvins, Libby and Buz Marvins, and Kaye Marvins Photography, Inc. has allowed the museum to acquire an additional thirty-two fine art portraits.

In 1929, Sonia and Kaye emigrated from Poland. Having known each other since they were twelve, they married in 1933, moved to Houston in 1935, and opened their own studio in 1945. As the studio prospered, Kaye Marvins became active in the Professional Photographers of America, serving as president of the local, state, and southwest chapters. He also taught portrait photography all over the United States.

In 1984, on the eve of the fortieth anniversary of their portrait studio, Kaye and Sonia Marvins proposed to build a photographic portrait collection for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Ralph Gibson is an award-winning photographer whose works are in the collections of major museums worldwide. His previous books include "Light Strings: Impressions of the Guitar "(2004). He divides his time between New York City and Paris, France. Anne Wilkes Tucker is Gus and Lyndall Wortham Curator of Photography at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Les Paul is a revered guitarist.
Pinin Brambilla Barcilon is one of the world's foremost authorities on the conservation of Renaissance frescoes. She has published widely on the subject and is responsible for a number of important technical advancements in the field. For the last twenty years, she has served as the chief conservator of the project to restore the "Last Supper,"
Pietro C. Marani is a curator and Renaissance scholar who specializes in the life and production of Leonardo da Vinci. His books include "Leonardo: I Maestri, Leonardo and Venice," and "Leonardo: Catalogo Completo dei Dipinti,"
Harlow Tighe is a translator living in Milan.

William R. Thompson is Rogers Professor of Political Science in the Department of Political Science at Indiana University.

Richard Cork is an award-winning art critic, author, and curator. Elliott Zooey Martin is curatorial assistant of contemporary art and special projects, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.