Nathalie de Gunzburg received the medal of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters on March 7, 2013, in an insignia ceremony presided over by Antonin Baudry, Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy at the French Embassy Cultural Services in New York, amidst an illustrious gathering including Ms. De Gunzburg’s family and close friends and colleagues.

In his remarks, Mr. Baudry praised Ms. Gunzburg’s subtle knowledge of contemporary art, her energy and her steady visionary leadership as the Chairman of the Dia Art Foundation. In particular Mr. Baudry highlighted Ms. De Gunzburg’s profound desire to perpetually renew Dia’s exceptional collection and to democratize access to contemporary arts. Ms. de Gunzburg responded on this occasion with a dynamic speech on the power of art to move and inspire people.

About the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) was created in 1957 to recognize eminent artists and writers, as well as individuals who have contributed to furthering the arts in France and throughout the world. The Order, which is composed of three ranks (chevalier, officer, commander), is given out twice annually to only a few hundred people worldwide. Several Americans have received the award, including Paul Auster, Ornette Coleman, Agnes Gund, Marilyn Horne, Jim Jarmusch, Richard Meier, Robert Paxton, Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, and Uma Thurman.