Art museums are considered cathedrals of the late 20th century and beginning of the 21st. Major collections of art will be explored along with their benefactors, exhibitions, and museums.

Billions of dollars are spent each year on the collection of art by the wealthy and powerful. These elite art collectors are nothing new. The most influential people of Europe have bought or stolen art for centuries. Thanks to kings and conquerors, the treasures of the Louvre and other art museums did not appear by accident. This presentation will explore the early 20th century collection of Dr. Albert Barnes of Philadelphia and contrast that with the contemporary 21st century artwork collected by Eli Broad of Los Angeles. Both men exemplify a vision for the artistic creativity of their time. The Barnes Collection has more Renoirs than the entire city of Paris. His diverse collections of old masters and Impressionism cannot be priced. Eli Broad collects one work of contemporary art each week. He has over $2.2 billion worth of art as of 2015.

Lecturer: Robin Douglas