Collecting then and now: The English and some other collectors

Abstract

This paper sets out to show the generosity of spirit, particularly from the second half of the nineteenth century onwards, with which collectors in England enriched the country's museums. This was by piecemeal donations, as well as by the endowment of newly founded establishments, housing entire collections. As far as one can judge today, it was much more often a case of philanthropy than self-gratification. With a few major exceptions, it continued on a much reduced scale in recent times. The mood has changed among some giants of collecting, often those with exceptional commercial talents, for whom self-glorifying philanthropy—and tax advantages—are often the order of the day. This has been particularly true in America, where an extraordinary shift to collecting ‘contemporary’ art has until very recently dominated the scene. Self-glorification was certainly part of that pattern.

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