Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Join our new curator in charge of European decorative arts and sculpture, David Oakey, on a journey through the Legion of Honor's exceptional holdings of European decorative art. David will provide insights on the historical contexts from which these masterpieces originate, how they reflect the past directors, donors and curators who shaped the Legion’s history, and the central role they have played at the museum over the last century.
About the curator
David Oakey is curator in charge of European decorative arts and sculpture at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, where they are responsible for overseeing collections that range from late medieval to modern times. Oakey served as curator of a prestigious private collection and was the Director of Research for Carlton Hobbs LLC, a leading dealer of European decorative arts in New York. Oakey is currently pursuing a doctorate from the University of Cambridge. His thesis explores evidence of Anglo-French rapprochement in late eighteenth-century decorative arts and architecture.
About the “A Closer Look” series
This program is part of our “A Closer Look” series, a new curatorial lecture series exploring both the development of the Museums’ distinct collections and their art historical significance. Beginning at the Legion of Honor and expanding to the de Young soon, the series features in-depth presentations that highlight collection gems while demystifying creative practices that span thousands of years.
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Don’t miss our upcoming programs! Sign up for our newsletter: https://dey.ng/newsletter
Join our new curator in charge of European decorative arts and sculpture, David Oakey, on a journey through the Legion of Honor's exceptional holdings of European decorative art. David will provide insights on the historical contexts from which these masterpieces originate, how they reflect the past directors, donors and curators who shaped the Legion’s history, and the central role they have played at the museum over the last century.
About the curator
David Oakey is curator in charge of European decorative arts and sculpture at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, where they are responsible for overseeing collections that range from late medieval to modern times. Oakey served as curator of a prestigious private collection and was the Director of Research for Carlton Hobbs LLC, a leading dealer of European decorative arts in New York. Oakey is currently pursuing a doctorate from the University of Cambridge. His thesis explores evidence of Anglo-French rapprochement in late eighteenth-century decorative arts and architecture.
About the “A Closer Look” series
This program is part of our “A Closer Look” series, a new curatorial lecture series exploring both the development of the Museums’ distinct collections and their art historical significance. Beginning at the Legion of Honor and expanding to the de Young soon, the series features in-depth presentations that highlight collection gems while demystifying creative practices that span thousands of years.
Subscribe to our channel: https://dey.ng/our-channel
Don’t miss our upcoming programs! Sign up for our newsletter: https://dey.ng/newsletter
