Beltran-Kropp Art Collection
The largest and rarest permanent gift of Peruvian art in the Museums 100 year history
About the Beltráns
Pedro Gerardo Beltrán Espantoso was a descendent of a Spanish conquistador and a member of the Peruvian aristocracy. Educated at the London School of economics (1918), Beltrán returned to Peru and was involved in business and politics before becoming the owner and publisher of the once-prominent newspaper, La Prensa (1934-74). Beltrán was Peru’s Ambassador to the United States (1944-45), and his term as Peru’s Minister of Finance and Prime Minister (1959-61) stabilized the Peruvian economy.
He received honorary degrees from Yale, Harvard, and the University of California, and was a visiting scholar at the University of Virginia. He was also awarded the Maria Moors Cabot prize from Columbia University’s School of Journalism. The Inter-American Press Society honored him as “Hero of Freedom of the Press” for his opposition to the Odria dictatorship in the 1950s.
In 1974 the Beltráns relocated to San Francisco and continued to travel the world until Pedro’s death in 1979. Miriam passed away in 2010.
About the Collection
The Beltrán-Kropp art collection from Peru is the largest and most prestigious ever donated to the Society from outside of New Mexico. Despite competition from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and fifteen other museums across the country, the Society was selected to be the permanent home of these extraordinary artworks. The 96-piece collection includes…
Rare églomisé (reverse painting on glass) of the Madonna and Child – said by Christie’s auction house to be the largest églomisé in the United States.
Silver panel relief of Abraham, Isaac and an angel.
Table with marquetry of incised ivory and tortoise shell.
Engraved cobalt blue and gold dinner service for 46.
Ornate filigree works including basket, serving tray, and others.
Gilt frame with mirror tile and cherub heads.
Beyond the beauty and rarity of these art works, the Beltrán-Kropp Collection attracts national and international attention to the Society.
