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Russian oligarch leads art donation to Paris museum

In this photo dated Monday, Sept. 12, 2016 "Campagne Presidentielle, 1988" by Sergei Mironenko (1959) is displayed as part of the presentation of the Kollektsia exhibition dedicated to Russian contemporary art at Beaubourg Museum in Paris, France. One of the richest oligarchs in Russia, Vladimir Potanin, is donating over 250 works of Russian and Soviet art to France national modern art museum, the Pompidou Center, to promote cultural understanding. The exhibition runs through Sept. 14, 2016 to March 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
In this photo dated Monday, Sept. 12, 2016 "Campagne Presidentielle, 1988" by Sergei Mironenko (1959) is displayed as part of the presentation of the Kollektsia exhibition dedicated to Russian contemporary art at Beaubourg Museum in Paris, France. One of the richest oligarchs in Russia, Vladimir Potanin, is donating over 250 works of Russian and Soviet art to France national modern art museum, the Pompidou Center, to promote cultural understanding. The exhibition runs through Sept. 14, 2016 to March 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

By Associated Press 1 min read

PARIS (AP) – One of the richest oligarchs in Russia, Vladimir Potanin, played a key role in the donation of more than 250 works of Russian and Soviet art to France’s national modern art museum, the Pompidou Center.

Potanin – who wasn’t present for Tuesday’s formal opening – previously described the collection as “a symbolic act that aims to encourage Russian art in living culture.”

Potanin was the main contributor of works for the donation, which was organized through his charitable foundation, the museum said.

An exhibit of the vibrant works, representing Russia in the ’70s and the “Sots Art” movement of Boris Orlov and Leonid Sokov, will be shown from Sept. 14 to March 27.