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The Age of the Individual

How collecting reached its maturity in the 19th century when the booming economy encouraged philanthropic industrialists to spend their fortunes on art.

Helen Rosslyn explores how collecting reached its maturity in the 19th century when unprecedented wealth from Britain's booming economy encouraged enlightened, philanthropic industrialists to spend their fortunes on art, and in many cases then donate their collections to the nation.

With different taste from the British aristocracy who had dominated collecting to this point, a new breed of art buyer enriched Britain's cultural story by acquiring adventurous and often avant-garde work. Helen looks at the influence of pharmaceutical magnate Thomas Holloway, the Rothschild banking dynasty and the Welsh Davies sisters.

59 minutes

Last on

Wed 22 Dec 2021 00:35

Music Played

  • Max Richter

    Written on the Sky

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Helen Rosslyn
Executive Producer Franny Moyle
Producer Lucy Swingler
Director Lucy Swingler

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