Artists and Patrons

From a Renaissance Pope determined to enhance his prestige among rivals to a modern museum sponsoring an artist in residence, the nature of art production in the West has frequently depended on the symbiotic relationship between a patron and his or her chosen artist. This could be for a unique art work or for a series of works spanning several years. An artist may be especially sought by the patron, or conversely, the artist pursues patronage through the means available. More recently, the patron is as likely to be an institution rather than an individual. In some examples, the art work is specifically defined in its content, style and cost, while in others the artist is given free rein. The course will illuminate the complexity of the types of patronage that have evolved in western art in 500 years.