Krzysztof Pomian's New Book Traces the Evolution of Collections from Relics to Modern Art
Krzysztof Pomian's recent publication from Éditions Gallimard builds upon "Collectionneurs, amateurs et curieux," delving into art collections spanning the 16th to early 20th centuries, with a particular emphasis on Venice. He posits that art history encompasses creation, circulation, and reception. By the mid-16th century, Venice emerged as a prominent hub for collections. Early artworks, such as Carpaccio's "Saint Augustine in His Studio," showcase a fusion of classical themes and scientific curiosity. Initially, paintings held a lesser role in collections, gaining prominence in the late 15th century. The Widmann collection of the 17th century included pieces by Bordone, Bassano, Titian, and Palma il Vecchio. Pomian connects the development of collections to museums and highlights the influence of evolving women's roles on the emergence of modern art in America, citing numerous female collectors active from the 1870s to the 1930s.
Key facts
- Krzysztof Pomian's book is published by Éditions Gallimard.
- The book covers collections from the 16th to early 20th century, focusing on Venice.
- Carpaccio's 'Saint Augustine in His Studio' is cited as an early depiction of a collector's interior.
- Venetian collections initially had few paintings; portraits by Antonello da Messina appear from the late 15th century.
- Giovanni Bellini was present in most early Venetian collections alongside Mantegna, Giorgione, Titian, and Palma il Vecchio.
- The Widmann collection (17th century) included works by Paris Bordone, Bassano, Titian, Palma il Vecchio, and French painters Vouet and Poussin.
- Teodoro Correr founded one of Europe's first museums by a private collector in 1787.
- Pomian notes that French collectors surprisingly ignored Venetian painting.
- The book ends with a hypothesis linking modern art promotion in America to women's changing status.
- Between the 1870s and 1930s, a high proportion of American collectors were women.
Entities
Artists
- Krzysztof Pomian
- Carpaccio
- Antonello da Messina
- Giovanni Bellini
- Mantegna
- Giorgione
- Titian
- Palma il Vecchio
- Paris Bordone
- Jacopo Bassano
- Pordenone
- Sebastiano del Piombo
- Schiavone
- Veronese
- Simon Vouet
- Nicolas Poussin
- Jan van Eyck
- Teodoro Correr
Institutions
- Éditions Gallimard
- art press
- Museo Correr
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Venice
- Italy
- Europe
- England
- Austria
- Holland
- America
Sources
- artpress —