Salon style wall of contemporary art at Morton Fine Art, Washington, DC
As an art collector, you invest time, energy and money in a collection which fits both your aesthetic and interests. Oftentimes you develop strong relationships with galleries, auction houses and sometimes the artists themselves. How do you translate your passion for your collection into a shared family value?
A few questions to ask yourself:
What reflected in your art collection is most relevant to your family members?
Does your collection mirror family values or non literal family narratives or concepts?
What art on your walls most influences you?
What art on your walls most inspires your respective family members?
Do you have family discussions about art?
Do you visit art institutions and galleries with your family?
Have you shared the influences which have lead to you collect as you do?
Stein collection (detail), Paris
Here is a wonderful example of family legacy created by a shared passion for art collecting:
Did you know that the legendary American writer and art collector Gertrude Stein actively and profusely collected art with her brothers Leo and Michael and her sister-in-law Sarah? In fact, the family was integral in the rise of modern art in western Europe and America including early acquisitions of Cezanne, Gauguin, Renoir, Matisse, Toulouse-Lautrec and Picasso – much of the art which now fill the world’s museums. In the early 1900’s Henry McBride (the critic for the New York Sun) commented that Stein “collected geniuses rather than masterpieces. She recognized them a long way off”.
Collectors, that’s some inspiration for today!
Morton Fine Art
52 O St NW #302
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 628-2787
mortonfineart@gmail.com
Morton Fine Art: curator's notes 