Background: Collecting art is in Tufts' blood. He is a fifth-generation art collector — and has the inherited art to prove it. That moody landscape in a gold-leaf frame? That's by 16th-century Flemish master Jan Brueghel the Younger. That lovely line drawing? A signed Matisse print. Tufts, president of a condo marketing company, carries on the family tradition by buying mostly contemporary art, including works by local artists.

Collecting philosophy: Tufts' collection defies categorization. He has photography, paintings, drawings and mixed-media pieces. "It's very eclectic. My philosophy has really been, I see something, I like it and I include it in the collection," Tufts said. "I do like to find emerging artists. I've really enjoyed being in Atlanta because of that. I have several Kojo Griffins, Radcliffe Baileys, Benjamin Jones."

Frank Niemeir / AJC (ENLARGE)

David Tufts received his favorite piece of art from his mother.

Favorite piece: "La Pompadour," an artist's proof print signed by Henri Matisse. Dated 1951. His late mother, Barbara Michelson Tufts, purchased the drawing as a present for her father, a Boston neurosurgeon and a serious modern art collector. She bought it in 1951 from a Boston art gallery when she was a college student, Tufts said. He has kept the piece in its original frame. It's one of eight versions Matisse made of the same drawing, according to Tufts' art appraiser.

Where it's displayed: In his front sitting room.

Why he likes it: "I've always liked the artist. If I had my druthers, I'd have a large Matisse painting," Tufts said with a laugh. But more important is his sentimental attachment to the piece. When his grandfather died, the drawing went back to his daughter — and she gave it to Tufts for good luck when he moved to Atlanta in 1993. (Tufts moved here to start his own company, the Condo Store, which he sold in 1999 to Coldwell Banker.) Tufts also likes the simplicity of the drawing. "I paint watercolors, and I make things too complicated in my works, which is probably why they aren't very good. That's one reason I like simplicity in others' works. It's something I strive for."

My Favorite Piece is a way to let Atlantans talk about the best-loved works in their collections. If you have a suggestion, email Kirsten Tagami at ktagami@ajc.com