How to spend it? Philanthropists in the past have spent fortunes building collections that are internationally acclaimed for their quality today.
However, the stench of colonialism clings to some of them. Campaigns to repatriate marbles to Greece, bronzes to Benin and so on are in fashion to rectify the supposed past transgressions of these collectors. One such rich philanthropist comes out of this debate smelling of roses: Archer Huntington (1870 – 1955).
In 2016 I spent a few days in Valencia and saw pictures by Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida (1863–1923) – known as Sorolla. Then, in 2019, I managed to miss an exhibition of his work at The National Gallery -: Sorolla: Spanish Master of Light. However, last week I saw a few of his pictures at the Royal Academy – Spain and the Hispanic World. This fascinating exhibition has a smattering of all things Spanish from antiquity to Sorolla via El Greco, Goya and Velasquez. It all comes from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library, at 613 West 155 Street in New York. This remarkable institution was put together by Archer Huntington a man with money (from railways) and a vision.
“The Hispanic Society differs notably from contemporary American museums. Although like many, it includes Old Master paintings, it offers the visitor a wider frame of reference, which reflects Huntington’s experience of the British Museum. Inspired by that institution, he pursued a broad vision of culture that encompasses the decorative arts, customs, and the way people lived. Because he understood the importance of the Arabic contribution to the Spanish world, he made sure he acquired Islamic art at a time when few shared this interest.” (Patrick Lenaghan, Head Curator of Prints, Photographs and Sculpture, Hispanic Society Museum & Library)
Archer Huntington learnt Arabic and accumulated his collection himself, furthermore, and this was in the late 19th century, he adopted a farsighted view of cultural heritage.
”I buy no pictures in Spain, having that foolish sentimental feeling against disturbing such birds of paradise upon their perches. Let us leave these beloved inspiration builders where they were born or dwell, for to Spain I do not go as a plunderer. I will get my pictures outside.” (Archer Huntington, 1898)
This is the picture I would most like to take home.
This polychrome wood sculpture also caught my eye. It is of St Martin of Tours who has spotted a beggar looking chilly and severs his cloak to offer him for warmth. He later sees Christ in a dream holding up the piece of his cloak he gave to the beggar and he realises the beggar was Christ. The sculpture was created by an unknown artist circa 1460.
We quite agree with your choice of the superb Sorolla paintings ( his house/museum in Madrid is well worth a visit) and the Velazquez portrait of a girl/his granddaughter? and St Martin of Tours. We also appreciated the Pilgrim Flask (1580 Barcelona) the glazed Valencian plates, Ecuadorean Four Fates of Man,(18th century )and religious art paintings on copper from Cuzco(also 18th century). We have a Flight into Egypt and an Angel on copper, we brought back from Cuzco ,in London.