Collecting and Dynastic Ambition

Dynastic Ambition, the desire to advance one's family fortune and reputation, is the reason for all kinds of sometimes bewildering behaviour and activities. Within the study of the history of collecting, many and various motives have been given that underlie the patronage and collecting of art, from personal to public, private to princely, self-interest to philanthropy. A growing interest in the commissioning, collecting and display of art in the early modern period has led to new discussio...