CORPORATE ART COLLECTION

Mariposa Alexander Calder, 1951 Currently displayed in the Beverly Hills store, this is NM's first art collection piece.

Neiman Marcus is one of the few retailers in the world with a corporate art collection – ours was begun by none other than Stanley Marcus and is directed today by our on-staff art curator. We specialize in regional artists and are proud that our Texas stores showcase many of the artists who are working around the state. For example, in one of our newer stores – in San Antonio – you will see work of Texas’ established artists and sculptors as well as the work of emerging talent.

The Neiman Marcus Group art collection is a unique and distinctive part of our heritage and culture. It is what makes us special, engaging, and inspiring as a retailer. Stanley Marcus, son of founder Herbert Marcus, believed “art enhanced the quality of people’s lives and the customer’s shopping experience and to him that was just good business.”

Stanley Marcus was as passionate about art as he was about fashion. An avid collector with eclectic taste he acquired fine art from around the world and displayed it proudly within our stores. In 1951, for NM’s first suburban store, he commissioned The Neiman Marcus art collection’s first piece, Mariposa, a large-scale mobile designed by Alexander Calder. What began with one sculpture has grown to over 2,500 works of art consisting of sculptures, paintings, drawings, and numerous limited edition prints. For us, the art in our stores is not simply decorative accent; rather, it enriches the environment, educates and entertains our customers. 

Cresendo Hans Van de Bovenkamp, 2000 Currently displayed in the San Diego store, this is one of 5 pieces from Van de Bovenkamp within the NM Art Collection.

Like a museum, our art collection hopes to engage the curious. We are committed to new technology that enhances the shopping experience. Recently, interactive art video monitors have been installed in new stores to offer insight into the artist’s works and our collection. By viewing the videos, visitors can learn about the artist, hear Stanley Marcus discuss the importance of art, or see other works from our collection. Among famous artists in the collection are: Pablo Picasso, Alexander Liberman, Andy Warhol, and Roy Lichtenstein.

The tradition of placing art in our stores and making it accessible to everyone continues today. Our curator ensures the art collection’s focus and longevity. Each piece is intently selected with a specific space in mind. Typically, 80-100 pieces are placed in a new store and everything from the store’s blueprints, to the environment of ladies shoe salon are considered. Emphasis is on non-representational contemporary works by regional artists.The local art scene is researched when planning to place artwork in a new store. We focus on regional and emerging artists, because we believe in supporting local creative talent. Through art, we want to be a part of people’s lives and the community in which they live. The intention of the collection is not to intimidate, only to inspire.