Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Getty Research Institute. Research Library
- Abstract:
- An assembled collection of 66 letters, written by 47 persons between 1821 and 1921. Most letters date to the 19th century. The letters present a view of the 19th century world of art patrons, dealers, and collectors.
- Extent:
- 66.0 items
- Language:
- Collection material is in English
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Letters present a comprehensive view of the 19th century world of art patrons, dealers, and collectors in Great Britain. Well-informed patrons spread the word about important collections to be sold, and of "private views" before sales. One of the Irish antiquities dealers sends Lord Londesborough a drawing of a unique bronze plate depicting the Crucifixion, discovered near the ruins of a monastery. Persons who inherited pictures try to sell or donate them. Collectors and art patrons order reproductive prints from the well-known dealer Dominic Colnaghi. Some are actively involved with their dealers: the Baron Berwick asks his to try and sell either "the doubtful Sebastian or Titian," which "should not be in the same room" nor shown together. Booksellers have their place in the growing art market, offering not only rare books, but also colored sets of John Paine tracts. The book collector and connoisseur Felix Slade comments on the "fine specimens" in his loan exhibition of rare books and bindings.
Arrangement noteLetters arranged alphabetically.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Collection assembled by the repository.
- Acquisition information:
- Assembled from several acquisitions, ca. 1983-1990.
- Physical location:
- Request access to the physical materials described in this inventory through the catalog record for this collection. Click here for the access policy.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Location of this collection:
-
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100Los Angeles, CA 90049-1688, US
- Contact:
- (310) 440-7390