Historical and Contemporary Motivations Behind Arts Philanthropy Examined in ArtReview Publication
The May 2025 edition of ArtReview highlights a feature on arts philanthropy, made possible by the support of the Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation, Han Nefkens Foundation, Levett Collection, and Sunpride Foundation. This publication explores international funding models and profiles four notable philanthropists. Historically, figures like Lorenzo de' Medici utilized art to enhance their influence, a point noted by Machiavelli in 1532. Motivations for arts giving encompass status, altruism, and access. The 19th century marked a transition towards public education, inspired by Matthew Arnold. Significant donations include Wagener's 1861 contribution to Berlin's Alte Nationalgalerie and Andrew Mellon's founding of the National Gallery of Art. Recent contributions feature a $10 million donation to the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and Michael Bloomberg's $21 billion in lifetime giving, with current trends emphasizing social justice initiatives.
Key facts
- ArtReview's May 2025 issue features a standalone publication on arts philanthropy with global essays and philanthropist profiles.
- Lorenzo de' Medici used art patronage in Renaissance Florence to enhance soft power and maintain family control.
- Niccolò Machiavelli's 1532 treatise The Prince discusses using art to win respect.
- 19th-century philanthropy shifted from poverty alleviation to public cultural education, influenced by Matthew Arnold.
- Andrew Carnegie's 1889 essay 'The Gospel of Wealth' advocated arts support for public improvement.
- Andrew Mellon acquired Hermitage Museum works in 1931 to help create the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
- A $10 million anonymous gift in March 2025 endows performance art at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.
- The Art for Justice Fund, founded in 2017, supports efforts to end mass incarceration in the US.
Entities
Artists
- Lorenzo de' Medici
- Botticelli
- Michelangelo
- Niccolò Machiavelli
- Matthew Arnold
- Andrew Carnegie
- Joachim Heinrich Wilhelm Wagener
- Henry Tate
- William Harcourt
- Abby Aldrich Rockefeller
- Lillie P. Bliss
- Mary Quinn Sullivan
- Andrew Mellon
- Michael Bloomberg
- Eileen Harris Norton
- Leslie Ramos
- Guy Richards Smit
Institutions
- ArtReview
- Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation
- Han Nefkens Foundation
- Levett Collection
- Sunpride Foundation
- Alte Nationalgalerie
- Tate Gallery
- Museum of Modern Art
- Hermitage Museum
- National Gallery of Art
- Arts Council
- Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
- Samdani Art Foundation
- Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo
- Baltimore Museum of Art
- Art for Justice Fund
Locations
- Florence
- Italy
- Berlin
- Germany
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York
- United States
- Washington, DC
- Dhaka
- Bangladesh
- Turin
- Baltimore