Herb & Dorothy

Herb & Dorothy is a spellbinding documentary that unfolds the tale of two of the most unlikely art collectors – Herbert and Dorothy Vogel. Incomparable in their passion for art, this ordinary, middle-class couple managed to accumulate one of the most significant contemporary art collections in history, comprising more than 4,000 pieces. Directed by Megumi Sasaki, this 2008 film features Paula Antebi, Will Barnet, and Robert Barry, along with other protagonists from the art industry, and delves into the fascinating world of art collection and the symbiosis between artists and their audiences.

This documentary is remarkable, primarily due to its subjects. Herb was a postal worker, and Dorothy was a librarian. With their modest incomes, one would scarcely imagine them to be prolific modern art collectors. Yet, the unassuming couple managed to transform their humble one-bedroom Manhattan apartment into a treasure trove of modern art. The collection, amassed over four decades, became so extensive that it eventually filled every corner of their apartment.

The film's narrative, woven with interviews, archive footage, and art visits, provides a deep insight into the couple's shared passion, their astute and discerning eye for art, and the close relationships they cultivated with emerging artists. The Vogels acquired work from then-unknown artists who later became prominent figures in the art world. Few knew that behind the facades of Herb's hospital orderly and Dorothy's librarian, existed two art visionaries who equated art-buying to a substantial and necessary part of their lives, even if it meant living off Dorothy's income alone, while Herb's salary went entirely toward purchasing art pieces.

Herb & Dorothy is an affectionate, often humorous, account that truly underscores the simplicity and humility of the Vogels. This isn't a tale of high-end auctions or wealthy collectors—it's a story of how dedication, passion, and an innate understanding of art can lead to the creation of an extraordinary collection. The film takes the audience into a mesmerizing journey, exploring how two improbable collectors managed to build a museum-quality collection based on their shared love and understanding of art.

Herbert and Dorothy's story is a celebration of art, love, and mutual respect. Despite their lack of formal art education, they produced a remarkable collection that has left an indelible mark on the art world. The film also delves into their personal relationships with the artists whose works they collected, providing an intimate glimpse into the New York City art scene during the second half of the 20th century, and showcasing the nurturing, almost parental relationship that the Vogels shared with the artists.

What's particularly touching is their unmistakable affection for the artists whose works they safeguarded. Their interactions imply a sense of shared responsibility, an unspoken agreement that they were not just mere owners of an art collection but the custodians of creative legacies.

Herb & Dorothy is as much an ode to art as it is to companionship. Their relationship underscores the power of shared passions, interests, and values, showing how they transform lives. As such, the narrative of the film becomes a tribute to their life together—their collective simplicity, their unassuming mundanity that is yet so extraordinarily enriched by the world of art in which they lose themselves, and the unwavering support they had for each other and the artists they fostered.

Shedding light on a previously unheard-of world of art collection, Herb & Dorothy is a compelling watch for both art enthusiasts and those new to the art world. It is a testament to the power of voracious curiosity and unyielding passion. This documentary humanizes collecting and demystifies art, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or income level.

In conclusion, Herb & Dorothy is a vivid illustration of a love story—not just between two people but between those people and the art they cherished. It is an awe-inspiring portrait of two ordinary individuals, whose extraordinary love for art propelled them from obscurity into the annals of the modern art world. The film, replete with warmth, wit, and a deep sense of humanism, truly captures their inimitable spirit, chronicling effectively how they turned modest resources into an astonishing art collection.