David Ireland Stefan Kalmár Leaves Munich Museum for New York Nonprofit Artist David Ireland's House Goes to Collector

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After buying 500 Capp Street in 1975, Ireland, how 77 and living in an assisted-living facility in San Francisco, muddled the line between art and life, removing window moldings, stripping wall coverings, coating walls, ceilings, and floors with glossy polyurethane varnish, and scattering pieces of furniture—some altered by him, some functional, and some sculptural—throughout.

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art attempted to acquire the house—as well as arrange for its conservation and provide a lifetime income for Ireland—but the deal fell through. However, if the property fails to sell by April, "then we see if we can put together a consortium of museums," to save it, said Dick Greene, president of SFMOMA's board.

The artist's sister, San Francisco realtor Judy Ireland, said she plans to offer the house for around $900,000 and hopes to sell it before April 1, when a law will expire that would exempt the artist from tax on $250,000 of capital gain.