It is not difficult to find displays of wealth in art, since art has aesthetic value only, it was not normally afforded by the poor. Wealthy or powerful people patroned the art, and in turn the subjects within the art were often wealthy. Each time period will display wealth differently, for example the early Renaissance. art will be religious more often that not, and often petitioned by the pope. During this time the church had control of a large percentage of the wealth. Maria Jensen, John Haugan and Logan Olson
Central compartment from the altarpiece dedicated to Saints Bartholomew and Bernard of Clairvaux, Pere Serra, 1375/1400, From the collection of: Mev, Museu d'Art Medieval
This is a Gothic painting. The way wealth is displayed in this painting is unique to the time. At this point in history most of the wealth belonged to the church. The composition and style of this painting reminds be of Giotto's Madonna enthroned, they were both painted around the same time, and they are both church patroned works.(Maria Jensen)
Wealth is shown everywhere in this painting. The embroidered cloth and the glass vase are enough to show that this man was extremely wealthy. His expensive clothing also shows that he was affluent. He was a merchant according to the letters hanging on the walls. This painting can be compared to The French Ambassadors also painted by Hans Holbein. The man shown in this painting is surrounded by objects which show his level of wealth. This is also shown in The French Ambassadors. It shows that these men have expensive items as well as items that convey their intelligence. (Logan Olson)
Thomas Howard, Second Earl of Arundel, about 1620 - 1621, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
Thomas Howard was known as one of the great patrons of art during his time.Wealth is shown in this painting primarily because of the golden emblem in his left hand which shows connection to the king. There were only 24 of these emblems given out to the true knights of the noble circle of the king. This painting is similar to the portrait of Elizabeth I as a Princess painted by Levina Teerling. It is similar because both Thomas Howard and Elizabeth are depicted wearing very fancy, expensive clothing. There is not much detail in the background which shows that the focus is meant to be on the apparel of the two. (Logan Olson)
Portrait of Alfonso d'Avalos, Marquis of Vasto, in Armor with a Page, Titian (Tiziano Vecellio), probably January-February 1533, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
Alfonso d'Avalos was a very important leader for the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. He gained his power through military conquest. Eventually, he gained wealth from being the leader of Milan. Titian, displays him as a refined and powerful gentlemen. He wears elaborate armor as if he was to go into battle. Sir Joshua Reynold's, Lord Heathfield shows many of the same qualities. The two men look into the distant searching for new adventures. (John Haugan)
Bindo Altoviti, Raphael, c. 1515, From the collection of: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
Bindo Altoviti was a rich banker from Rome. He enjoy using his wealth to commission works of art. In this work, he hired Raphael to paint a portrait of him. Raphael depicts Altoviti wealth through his clothing and ring. Also, He is bluntly looking at the artist, which creates an image of power and superiority. The work that closely resembles it in visual style is John Singleton Compley, Paul Revere. The two portraits show the individuals looking at the viewer. The backgrounds are also plain, which draws more attention to the patrons. (John Haugan)
(Front), From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
Wealth is shown in this painting in two ways.The first being the detail which shows a costly artist painted this piece. The second being his posture which shows that the man is knowledgeable and wealthy. This painting is similar to Francis I painted by Jean Clouet. Both of these men are wearing wealthy fabrics and there is an incredible amount of detail in both of these paintings. Another similarity is their posture, which shows that they both come from a wealthy and proper family. (Logan Olson)
Portrait of a gentleman (Scipione Borghese?), Michelangelo Merisi known as Caravaggio, 1598 - 1604, From the collection of: Fondazione Musei Senesi
Caravaggio's, Portrait of a gentleman(Scipione Borghese?) show a man looking in the distance. Scipione Borghese was a Cardinal from the Borghese family. By obtaining a position as a cardinal, he had the resources to commission art. In this work, He shows himself as a wealthy individual rather than a cardinal. It is possible that this was a private work for his personal collection. Nadar's, Eugene Delacroix shows the same qualities. They both are looking into the distance rather than are the artist, and they are both wealthy men of their day. (John Haugan)
(Front), From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
Frans van Mieris the Elder was known for painting primarily for wealthy people. The woman in this painting is shown to be wealthy by the gold chain around her neck and the components associated with the arts in her hand. Caterina Van Hemessen, self portrait also show some of the same visual styles. The two woman are both wealthy individuals because painting is a leisure for the rich. (Logan Olson)
(Main View), From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
At the time this was painted most of the wealth was in the hands of the catholic church, or the monarchy. Isabella of Portugal was queen of Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain from 1526 to 1539. This painting reminds me of the Arnolfini Wedding, looking at isabella's face, it resembles the bride in that painting. Also in the Arnodfini Wedding there are obvious displays of wealth.(Maria Jensen)
Portrait of a Young Venetian Lady, Albrecht Dürer, 1506, From the collection of: Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
This is a 16th cen. Northern European painting, it displays the gradual shift of wealth into the middle class in the 1500's. This woman is wearing a gold necklace and a seemingly nice dress. In a way this painting resembles the Arnolfini portrait, in that painting the subjects are middle-class, and are showing off their objects of wealth. (Maria Jensen)
A Lady in Her Bath, François Clouet, c. 1571, From the collection of: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
This renaissance painting is full of displays of wealth. The rich curtains in the background, the woman is being waited on by a servant. You can see her wealth in her pale skin, and hair ornaments. The piece reminds me of Titian, Venus of Urbino. Due to the bathing woman lacking to cover herself, and the use of bold colors to signify their wealth. (Maria Jensen)
Idealized Portrait of a Lady (Portrait of Simonetta Vespucci as Nymph), Sandro Botticelli, 1480, From the collection of: Städel Museum
Simonetta Vespuccil was a prominent individual associated with the Medici family. Because of the Medici families vast wealth, she was able to commission a work from Sandro Botticelli. Her wealth is displayed though the diamond embedded in her hair, necklace, and lavish clothing. This piece is similar to Domanico Ghirlandaio, Giovanna Tornabuoni, in the way they show wealth through clothing, the direction they are facing, and the way they focus on the individual by having a blank background. (John Haugan)
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