Topic Description: Art Collecting

"ART COLLECTING" has two chief focuses: (1) the practice of art collecting as a considered activity, whether by individuals, families or corporate institutions; (2) the formation and dispersal of specific collections.

Particular attention is paid to: the art market at all levels; attitudes toward collecting in various localities; the activity and inclinations of specific patrons and collectors; the copying of celebrated works of art.

Every reference to the commission or acquisition of a work of art is not indexed under "ART COLLECTING", since much of this information can be accessed through the names of collectors under "PEOPLE" or through "PLACES" (for single collections by location) or categories of objects (for example, "ANTIQUITIES", "CERAMICS", "COINS AND MEDALS", "DRAWINGS", "GLASSWARE", "GOLD AND SILVERWORK", "PAINTING", "PIETRE DURE", "SCULPTURE", "TIMEPIECES.") "STATE GIFTS" are cross-indexed under "ART COLLECTING" when the collecting interests of the sender or recipient are indicated.

The MEDICI ARCHIVE PROJECT INC. is registered as a non-profit corporation in New York with Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.