Art Blog - Art In History

Once again, I would like to talk about an entirely different kind of patron: an Institution as patron of architects. Yale University is not alone its its enlightened approach to patronage, but it may be the first and most influential. Beginning in the 1950's, if not before, Yale made a conscious decision to take advantage of its unique position as an initiator of major architectural projects to further the careers of the best, but not best known, architects of the period. The first and arguably most significant of these choices was to hire Louis Kahn to design its new gallery and visual arts building. Completed in 1953, this was the first major commission for an extroardinary architect whose ideas had heretofore been known primarily through his writing and teaching… Continue reading… 4 comments

In England at the end of the 18th century, a new kind of patronage emerged which was to have an enormous effect on the careers of artists lucky enough to fall under its favor. This was the practice of English gentlemen, taking the grand tour to the mediterranean, to bring along with them an artist to document their trip, much as today we might bring a camera. In some cases, if the gentleman had a passion for antiquity, the trip would feature Greek and Roman sites; from such expeditions we have exquisite detailed drawings of temples and sculpture. In other cases, where the patron had a romantic passion for landscape, there would be a detour into the Alps and a concentration on the scenic beauties of the Italian landscape. William Beckwith was of the latter frame of mind… Continue reading… 1 comment

Isabella Stuart Gardner, one of the foremost collectors of art of her period at the end of the 19th century, was not primarily a patron of contemporary artists. She did purchase the work of living artists, including her portrait by John Singer Sargent, but her collecting focused primarily on artists of the European Renaissance. She was, however, a patron of another kind. She was a patron of the Renaissance specialist and connoisseur, Bernard Berenson, supporting him in his travels in Europe in search of art, and buying almost seventy works through his efforts. Isabella was born in New York city, but, in marrying John Lowell "Jack" Gardner, married into one of the oldest Boston families. Jack's grandfather was the Salem shipping tycoon, Joseph Peabody… Continue reading… 4 comments

The role and influence of artists patronage through history is a fascinating subject, and one which may have lessons for the artists and patrons of today. In the following article I will be looking at the impact of the great Renaissance Pope, Julius II, on the artists of his time, an influence which clearly was a mixed blessing, particularly for Michelangelo. The Renaissance in Italy was the period in which the primary role of the church as patronage for the arts was challenged by the rising influence of the nobility. It seems at first that Pope Julius II would represent a continuation of the influence of the church in art patronage, and on one level this is true… Continue reading… 2 comments