Société Anonyme

The term "Société Anonyme" refers to a business entity in civil law systems where liability is limited to the capital invested. This French term literally translates to "anonymous society," indicating that the partners are not publicly known.1

In the context of American art, the Société Anonyme, Inc., Museum of Modern Art 1920, was a pivotal organization founded in 1920 by Katherine Dreier, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray. Its primary mission was to educate Americans about modern art, both European and American, through exhibitions, lectures, and publications. Dreier, an art collector and artist herself, was dedicated to promoting contemporary artists and their work, which were often misunderstood by the public. The Société Anonyme organized numerous exhibitions and amassed a significant collection of modern art, which was eventually donated to Yale University.2