From the Duke News Service

November 22, 1999

Fourteen Old Master paintings valued at approximately $2.5 million, including the Feast of Herod from the studio of 17th century Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens, have been given to the Duke University Museum of Art, Duke President Nannerl O. Keohane announced Monday.

The paintings, on loan to the Duke museum since 1994, were donated in honor of Marilyn Mailman Segal, a developmental psychologist and dean emeritus of the Family and School Center at Nova Southeastern University, by her son, Richard (Rick), and daughters, Betty, Patti, Debbie and Wendy.

The works came from the Seavest Collection, which is owned by the Segal family, and include Italian, Flemish, German, and Dutch paintings from the late 14th to the early 18th century.

"The Segal family's love for art has led to a great enhancement of Duke's collections," Keohane said. "We are pleased that they have made the Duke Museum of Art the permanent home for these magnificent paintings. We are grateful to Rick and Wendy for their generosity and vision as we prepare to construct a new museum that will support teaching and research, attract special exhibitions and provide a splendid venue for the display of our collections."

The university is currently seeking funds for a new art museum as part of its fund-raising effort, the Campaign for Duke. The facility will be named for Dallas art collector, philanthropist and real estate developer Raymond D. Nasher. Selection of an architectural design firm is nearing completion with construction to begin as soon as plans are finalized.

"We feel very fortunate that these splendid works of art will be at the museum permanently and are honored that the Segal children chose to recognize their mother in such a meaningful and inspirational manner," said Michael Mezzatesta, director of the Duke University Museum of Art. "Thanks to the Segal family, the museum has a solid core of outstanding paintings that cover more than four centuries of European art and history."

Rick Segal and Wendy Segal Masi said on behalf of their sisters, "Our mother, 'Mickey' Segal, has been an enormous influence in our lives, as well as in the lives of so many others. We are glad her name will be associated with Duke's museum, particularly with the education of its students."

Rick Segal began collecting art in the early 1980s with a particular interest in contemporary American art. With the support and participation of his family, he collected works from the past three decades. Today, what has become the Seavest Collection includes over 600 works, most of which are housed in the homes of family members.

Segal is chairman and chief executive officer of Seavest Inc., an investment banking company in White Plains, N.Y. He also serves on the boards of the Big Apple Circus, Publicolor, and Rye Country Day School.

Segal and his wife Monica live in Rye, N.Y., with their four children.

Wendy Segal Masi is associate dean of the Family and School Center at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where her mother served as dean until 1997. Wendy Masi's husband, Dr. A. Nicholas Masi, is executive director of Gilda's Club of South Florida, a branch of the cancer support charity named for late comedienne Gilda Radner. They live in Fort Lauderdale and have three children, one of whom is a Duke junior.

Marilyn Segal received a B.A. from Wellesley College in 1948, a B.S. in social work from McGill University in 1949, and a Ph.D. in social psychology from Nova University in 1970. She founded the University School, a component of the Family and School Center at Nova Southeastern University, when she could not find a preschool for daughter Debbie, who was born with cerebral palsy.

Marilyn Segal is the author of 18 books, including Run Away Little Girl, an account of Debbie's childhood and how the other four Segal children rallied around their sister.

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