The Art Institute of Chicago, reportedly the world’s favorite museum, has announced its largest ever bequest to the tune of $35 million.

The huge donation, from the estate of late collector Dorothy Braude Edinburg, is intended for acquiring new works in Asian art, drawing, and prints thus further establishing the Institute as a major museum.

“It was my great privilege to know and work with Dorothy for more than two decades, and we are thrilled and immensely grateful to receive this unparalleled bequest,” said Douglas Druick, outgoing president of the Chicago Art Institute, in a statement. “Together, with the leadership of Chair and Curator of Prints and Drawings Suzanne Folds McCullagh and our curatorial teams, we proudly embraced Dorothy’s extraordinary collection, and we will use this incredible funding to carry Dorothy’s vision forward.”

Chicago Evening Skyline (Navy Pier)
Photo via: Flickr/Bert Kaufmann

Edinburg has had a long-term relationship with the institute and has donated over 1,500 works spanning six decades of art history and a variety of media to their collection over a period of 23 years. In 2013, Edinburg established the Harry B. and Bessie K. Braude Memorial Collection in memory of her parents, the landmark gift of a huge variety of 1000 works ranging from prints and drawing from Europe to stoneware and porcelain from China, Japan, and Korea.

“This generous bequest ensures her collection will continue to inspire and educate the public, and embodies the excellence and mission of the Art Institute. It’s an honor to support the stewardship of her legacy,” David Hilliard, a collector and trustee of the institute said in a statement released by the museum.

The huge donation supersedes another large donation in the shape of the Edlis Neeson Collection, which was given to the museum in April of 2015, and a donation of 400 items of Asian art from Chicago-based collector Barbara Levy Kipper.