A Visit to the Ramsey Collection

Oct 292025

by Bryan Davis, October 2025

Ray Ramsey points out one of his favorite pieces, "Mourning Madonna," by Anthony van Dyck, which depicts a somber Mary at the foot of her crucified son on the cross.
Our docent group included, left to right, Laynie Miller, Carla Sigler, Ramsey Collection owner Ray Ramsey, Linda McDowell, Darlene Thomas, Hayley Sanders, Katelyn Robinson, Bryan Davis, Mimi Wright and granddaughter.
I can't recall the artist, but I remember Ramsey's delight telling the story. It was painted in the early 1920s. The two are lovers and he is a young French sailor.
I can't recall the artist. I thought Monet but signature doesn't appear to be him. I love it though.
This wall of American painters was like a Who's Who of acclaimed masters. Top center is one of my favorites, "Meadow" by Andrew Wyeth.
Obviously, a Picasso.
Another stunning piece. I believe this is "Madonna and Child."
One of several works by Vincent van Gogh.
The entire second-floor gallery is composed of pieces by artist Joseph Nordmann. Mrs. Ramsey has written a book about the acclaimed artist, who was a friend in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Even though the electricity was out, it was easy to see and appreciate the beautiful Ramsey Collection.
The second floor sitting area was flooded with natural light and held dozens of paintings by Joseph Nordmann.
The Ramsey holds twenty pieces by Pablo Picasso, each displayed here on two panels.
This piece is another favorite of the owner called "Guardian Angel" by Bartolome Esteban Murillo. It depicts an angel protecting a young Jesus.
Ray Ramsey discusses the collection with Bosque Museum docents, left to right, Laynie MIller, Darlene Thomas, and Linda McDowell.

Clifton rightfully prides itself on being an arts community, but how many are aware of the Ramsey Art Collection just thirty-seven miles down the road in nearby Hamilton? On Thursday several of our Bosque Museum docents traveled to view the works housed in a two-story historic limestone building at the intersection of Highways 281 and 36 on the beautiful courthouse square. Our group were simply astounded by this vast private collection in our own backyard. Composed of more than five hundred pieces from the seventeenth to the twentieth century, the private collection includes Old Masters, American Masters, European painters and Modernists and its value has been called “immeasurable.”

Ray and Frances Jenkins Ramsey own the extensive art collection. Ray Ramsey is a native Californian, while his wife once called Hamilton home. Ray Ramsey said he visited Hamilton with his wife, fell in love with the community, and relocated there permanently two decades ago and wouldn’t be anywhere else. Ramsey, 90, was born and spent most of his life in Carmel (Carmel-by-the-Sea), south of San Francisco where he worked as a Ferrari dealer and considered former mayor Clint Eastwood among his celebrity friends. He said he grew up in a home which valued art and began his personal collection in earnest more than 60 years ago as a young man. His collection outgrew his home over time and following the death of his wife, he remarried a Texan who once lived in Hamilton. He came for a visit, and the rest is history. He said they bought a beautiful building on the town square for less than two months’ rent to house their collection in California.

The building which serves as their personal art museum underwent a major renovation and the first-floor displays the works of European masters such as Vincent van Gogh, Picasso, Cezanne, Degas, Gauguin, Matisse, Monet, Kooning, and Toulouse-Lautrec. American painters include works by Norman Rockwell, Andy Warhol, James Whistler, Mary Cassatt, Willem de Kooning, Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keefe, Diego Rivera, Charles Russell, and Andrew Wyeth. The Ramsey Collection doesn’t just have single works by many of the world’s most recognized masters, but multiple pieces. In fact, there are ten pieces by Gauguin, six by Van Gogh, twelve by Matisse, and an entire wall of more than twenty pieces by Pablo Picasso, an obvious favorite.

When asked what his favorite painting was, Ramsey quickly walked to two large pieces hung side by side. The first, “Guardian Angel” by Bartolome Esteban Murillo depicts an angel protecting baby Jesus. Next to it is “Mourning Madonna” by Anthony van Dyck, which depicts a somber Mary at the foot of her crucified son at the cross. A quiet, kind man, you could tell that merely describing each work is an emotional experience. “I don’t collect anything that I don’t like,” he said.

Those who climbed the steep stairs to the bright second floor gallery and suite found the extensive collection of an artist admired by both Ray and Frances Ramsey, Joseph Nordmann (1922-2015). A friend of the couple, Nordmann was a resident of Carmel and came to painting late in life. He was one of many artists known by Frances Ramsey in her art career in Texas, Santa Fe, and Carmel. In fact, Frances Ramsey authored a book about the artist, “Joseph Nordmann: The Art of a Full Life.” Ray Ramsey said Nordmann worked as a chemist and textbook author before beginning to paint full time after “retirement” in his seventies. The second floor of the Ramsey Collection contains only works by Nordmann, described online as an “American landscape Impressionist painter, chemistry professor, author, Caribbean bartender, crime investigator and nuclear researcher.” How is that for a Renaissance man?

Mr. Ramsey was apologetic because electricity in the building had been shut off without notice due to construction next door. However, we were still allowed to view the collection and enjoyed it very much just with natural lighting. He asked us to come back when the collection might be seen properly lighted to fully appreciate. Should you want to visit the Ramsey Collection, it is by appointment only.

Many thanks to our fellow docent Linda McDowell who does such an amazing job planning educational day trips for Museum Docents through the years. Linda is another masterpiece. We enjoyed lunch at Central Perk and a beautiful day and drive. The Ramsey Collection is a day we’ll not soon forget.