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Art has a transformative power that transcends eras, styles and boundaries. Throughout history, not only have public museums preserved masterpieces, but also important families, patrons and collectors who have collected valuable private art collections. Some of these collections are not only relevant because of their size or economic value, but also because of the historical, cultural and artistic wealth they contain.
In this article, we explore what exactly a private art collection is and review some of the most outstanding in the world. In addition, we invite you to discover up close one of the most important in Europe: Liria Palace collection, headquarters of the Casa de Alba Foundation in Madrid.
Una private art collection is a group of works (paintings, sculptures, decorative objects or manuscripts, among others) assembled by a person, family or non-public entity. Unlike state museum collections, these collections do not depend on the public purse and, on many occasions, have been formed over generations.
Although they are private by definition, many of them open their doors to the public partially or permanently, contributing to the enrichment of the common cultural heritage. Its conservation, exhibition and management depend directly on its owners, who often play an important role as sponsors of art and culture.
Here is a selection of some of the art collections most important private companies on the international scene. Its relevance is not only due to the quality of the works, but also to the historical context and the commitment of their owners to the conservation of the artistic heritage.
La Liria Palace collection includes works by great masters such as Goya, Zurbarán, Rubens or Tiziano, as well as a unique documentary collection with autographed letters from Christopher Columbus and manuscripts by Empress Eugenia de Montijo, Rousseau or King Philip II. Also noteworthy is the wealth of family portraits, period furniture and tapestries that tell the history of Spain and Europe since the 15th century.
Since 2019, the palace has been opening its doors to the public through guided tours or a free tour, allowing you to enjoy one of the private art collections most relevant in the country.
Although part of this collection today forms the core of the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid, the origin is completely private. Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza inherited and expanded one of the largest private collections of the 20th century, ranging from Gothic to contemporary art.
Over the years, this collection has been key to completing the Spanish art scene, together with the collections of the Prado Museum and the Reina Sofía Museum. The non-state part of the collection is still managed by the family.
La Royal Collection of the United Kingdom is one of the largest in the world, with more than a million objects. Although it officially belongs to the acting monarch, it is considered a private collection. It includes works by Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Canaletto and Vermeer, as well as crown jewels and historic objects.
It is preserved in several royal palaces and a significant part is exposed to the public in institutions such as the Queen's Gallery or Windsor Castle.
French businessman François Pinault, founder of the Kering group (owner of brands such as Gucci or Balenciaga), has built one of the most influential contemporary art collections in the world. It houses more than 10,000 works by artists such as Cindy Sherman, Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons and Takashi Murakami.
The collection is exhibited in spaces such as the Palazzo Grassi and the Punta della Dogana in Venice, as well as at the Bourse de Commerce in Paris, demonstrating Pinault's commitment to public access to his artistic collection.
The Broad couple has been one of the great promoters of art in the United States. Its collection, focused on contemporary art from the 20th and 21st centuries, includes works by artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Roy Lichtenstein and Barbara Kruger.
In 2015, they inaugurated The Broad, a free museum in Los Angeles that houses more than 2,000 pieces and represents an exemplary model of how a private collection can generate a cultural and educational impact on a large scale.
If you want to enter the universe of the big art collections, the Liria Palace is an essential stop in Madrid. In addition to being an architectural jewel, the palace houses more than 500 years of history through its masterpieces.
La Liria Palace collection is alive: it is still growing, being restored and being studied. Thanks to the work of the House of Alba Foundation, it is possible to get to know this impressive collection from the inside, discover the family stories that accompany it and explore its rooms.
During your visit, you will not only be able to admire large canvases and unique manuscripts, but also to understand the evolution of artistic taste and the role of private collectors in art history.
Visit us in the center of Madrid! and live a unique experience in art and history!