COLLECTION

and more broadly in popular culture.”

Fellow Miami art collector Dennis Scholl said the de la Cruzes’ have been incredibly generous to share their collection and philanthropy with the public.

“They built an extraordinary collection, and the fact that it’ll be available for other people to enjoy is a wonderful proposition,” Scholl said of the sale. “Collections pass through generations, and they pass through generations in different ways. I know the art world will be very excited about having a chance to look at what’s going to be for sale.”

Rosa had been open about one day selling the collection. In 2009, she told The New York

Times, “Every collector needs to realize you can’t take it with you. The works will either go to an institution, which might not be able to show them; to your kids, who might not want them; or to an auction house.”

Carlos, Rosa’s husband of over 60 years, chose the latter option. In a Tuesday interview with the Herald, Carlos said he didn’t plan to sell the collection anytime soon because he didn’t expect Rosa’s passing. Though she had been dealing with an illness, she remained active, visited the museum often and spent time with family, he said.

Rosa died on a Sunday, when the museum was usually closed. Carlos never reopened it.

“The Herald had published a headline when Queen Elizabeth was buried that said ‘End of an Era,’ ” Carlos said. “For me, it was an end of an era, too.”

There is a practical reason why the family chose to close shop and sell. The couple have five children, 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Paying taxes for the collection and maintaining the museum building is costly and shouldn’t be put on the next generation, he said. (Carlos was not able to discuss a potential sale of the museum building.)

But there’s another reason, he noted. It’s not the same without Rosa.

Rosa was the driving force behind the collection. Carlos would drive Rosa to and from the museum every day, he said. He would read or have lunch there while she attended to her beloved artworks. Rosa had also spearheaded an education program that sent hundreds of Miami students on trips to study art in Europe and New York City. Carlos was happy to report that the program is likely to continue.

“The collection was her baby,” Carlos said. “She did a wonderful job of presenting it to the community. I’m very proud of what she did. Very, very proud of what she did, and I’d be happy to do it all over again. But it was hers. And it’s different now.”

Hopefully, he said, “people that buy it will show it.”

This story was produced with financial support from individuals and Berkowitz Contemporary Arts in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.