Book Log 2008 #45: New Masters, Old World by Cynthia Saltzman

This book details how a small group of American collectors, flush with fortunes made during our rapid industrial growth after the Civil War, created (and later dominated) the European market for high-quality paintings by the likes of Vermeer and Rembrandt (among others). These collectors, working with European-based intermediaries of varying ethics, created collections of both quality and quantity, which enriched private residences before becoming the foundation for colletions of museums across the country.

The story is deftly told from both the art and business perspectives, which isn't surprising as Saltzman has a background in both. She also gives a great deal of background on both the collectors and their agents, which helps to explain why the interest in collecting developed and how it was often exploited for personal gain.

The one major issue I had with the book is that it doesn't end as well as it starts. Coverage of the end of this collecting period, marked by the deaths of the original collectors and the varying success their heirs had in keeping the collections, seems rushed and much less interesting. A minor issue is that there are a number of paintings mentioned that are never reproduced in the book, and while Saltzman describes them well having the visual would be a bonus.

A good read for anyone interested in art or Gilded Age history.