Newport collector helped turn American illustration into fine art
A chance discovery launched Judy Goffman Cutler’s lifelong mission to preserve and elevate American illustration, creating one of the country’s most significant collections.
NEWPORT, R.I. —
The founder of the National Museum of American Illustration in Newport, Rhode Island, has spent more than 50 years championing artists once dismissed by the fine art world. Housed inside a historic Bellevue Avenue mansion that also serves as her home, the museum features work by Norman Rockwell, J.C. Leyendecker, N.C. Wyeth and Maxfield Parrish.
Goffman Cutler’s journey began in 1972 while teaching at a school. After discovering an etching by French artist Louis Icart, she began collecting his work before selling part of her collection for $10,000 — a breakthrough that launched her career as an art dealer.
Her attention soon shifted to American illustration, despite skepticism from the art establishment.
“All the art dealers basically laughed at me for what I was trying to do because that was a man’s job,” Goffman Cutler said.
For decades, she argued that commercial illustrations deserved the same respect as traditional fine art, encouraging collectors to “buy what you like” rather than follow conventional wisdom.
Today, Goffman Cutler operates a New York gallery, has published a memoir and continues to oversee the National Museum of American Illustration, which is temporarily closed for renovations.
Among the museum’s highlights are what she says are the world’s largest Parrish collection and the second-largest collection of Rockwell works after the Norman Rockwell Museum.