HIgh Society

American portraits of the Gilded Age : Bucerius Kunst Forum, Hamburg, June 7-August 31, 2008

Plot

The period of rapid industrial expansion in America after the Civil War is known as the Gilded Age. The era saw the formation of great personal fortunes and the almost feverish amassing of goods and art to fill the palatial homes of the rich. The commissioning of portraits was one way for the new aristocracy to express their wealth and demonstrate their achievements, and the stunning works of art created during these years remain among the finest examples of portraiture. Lavishly illustrated with 175 portraits and period photographs, High Society brings to life the colourful personalities of the major artists and patrons of the Gilded Age, and, through essays exploring such themes as women artists and new public perceptions of the artist, provides an entertaining introduction to a significant chapter in American art.