It is said that great art often has its roots in hard times; that the well of inspiration from which artists and creatives draw in times of economic collapse or social turmoil is far more generous than that available during periods of relative stability and prosperity. But do financial constraints make for finer cultural outputs? Patronage has had a critical role in the production and ongoing support of fledgling artists. The sponsorship the de Medici family bestowed upon their native Florence and beyond resulted in the erection of the Uffizi Gallery, Michelangelo’s painting in the Sistine Chapel and in establishing Florence as the city from which the Renaissance flowed. Not much has changed in the last five centuries: It was Charles Saatchi’s advertising wealth that supported the work of the Young British Artists during This story is from Kinfolk Issue Forty-Seven Buy Now Related Stories Arts & Culture Issue 47 Rachid Koraïchi Meet the Algerian artist building cemeteries. Arts & Culture Issue 47 Simone Bodmer-Turner Meet the artist throwing clay a curveball. Arts & Culture Issue 46 Studio Visit: Yoko Kubrick In the studio with a sculptor of monuments and mythologies. Arts & Culture Issue 46 Peer Review Upcycle designer Laurs Kemp on the influence of mid-century salvage artist Louise Nevelson. Arts & Culture Issue 45 Correction: Spontaneous Generation A curious theory about the origins of life. Arts & Culture Issue 44 Correction Wikipedia is good, actually.
Arts & Culture Issue 46 Studio Visit: Yoko Kubrick In the studio with a sculptor of monuments and mythologies.
Arts & Culture Issue 46 Peer Review Upcycle designer Laurs Kemp on the influence of mid-century salvage artist Louise Nevelson.
Arts & Culture Issue 45 Correction: Spontaneous Generation A curious theory about the origins of life.
