The museum's founding donation in 1979

In his will of 20^th May 1964, Ossip Zadkine confirmed the deed of donation entre époux (gift between spouses) in favour of his wife, Valentine Prax. He died in 1967.

In 1978, Valentine Prax made a donation of works and property to the City of Paris with a view to creating the Musée Zadkine. In a will and testament of 18^th August 1979, she named the City of Paris as her general and universal legatee and bequeathed to it all of her possessions. Valentine Prax died in 1981. On 19^th April 1982, the Musée Zadkine opened its doors.