The Museum maintains two distinct collections that serve its mission to explore and promote the spiritual in art of all faiths and cultures. The Martin D’Arcy, S.J. Collection (formerly the collection of the Martin D’Arcy Gallery on Loyola’s Lake Shore Campus and affectionately known as the D’Arcy) was established in 1969 and comprises European art from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque eras. It is noteworthy for its special focus on three-dimensional objects. The collection was transferred to LUMA as the Museum’s permanent collection in 2005.

With the founding of LUMA in 2005, the LUMA Collection was established to encompass art from periods and faiths beyond the D’Arcy’s parameters, and it also reflects the Museum’s exhibition history.

Both collections continue to grow through judicious gifts, bequests, and purchases. To learn about collection priorities and policies, please see the Museum’s acquisition policy.

Images: Nicolas Bertin, The Annunciation (detail), ca. 1710–1720, French, oil on canvas, gift of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Hartigan and the Thomas Dower Foundation, 2000-01; Don and Era Farnsworth, Dharmakaya (detail), 2004, American, jacquard tapestry, museum purchase, LUMA Collection 2006-02; Desco da Parto (Birth Tray): Scenes from the Legend of David and Goliath (detail), ca. 1440, Italian (Florence), tempera on panel, museum purchase, 1998-01