From patronage to art colonies
Even though it may seem like we are dealing with a new phenomenon, art residencies do exist for centuries already. The difference is that in the past artist residency and communities were mostly established with the help of an individual who was willing to finance one or several artists. These individuals are mostly known as patrons and the model of establishing and financing as patronage. This was common even in the ancient times but became widely spread in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Art patronage is also easy to trace in different cultures because it was often connected to an imperial system or an aristocracy dominated society. The artists, in this case, were often invited for a period of time to live with a wealthy, noble or royal person and in that time being were supposed to make an artwork, decorate their palace, churches, gardens, etc. Sometimes the expertise of the artists would exceed the world of art and you could find also architects and engineers designing homes and churches. Patrons, that can be seen as sponsors, are also known in other languages as Maecenas. This term was derived from the name of Gaius Maecenas, a very close friend, and adviser to Augustus, the Roman Emperor. In Renaissance Italy, the family of Medici is considered to be one of the biggest patrons of art and has sponsored many of the artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli. Most of the artists invited would reside at the Medici court in Florence enjoying the privileges of being financed and admired by wealthy people.
Even though it may seem like we are dealing with a new phenomenon, art residencies do exist for centuries already. The difference is that in the past artist residency and communities were mostly established with the help of an individual who was willing to finance one or several artists. These individuals are mostly known as patrons and the model of establishing and financing as patronage. This was common even in the ancient times but became widely spread in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Art patronage is also easy to trace in different cultures because it was often connected to an imperial system or an aristocracy dominated society. The artists, in this case, were often invited for a period of time to live with a wealthy, noble or royal person and in that time being were supposed to make an artwork, decorate their palace, churches, gardens, etc. Sometimes the expertise of the artists would exceed the world of art and you could find also architects and engineers designing homes and churches. Patrons, that can be seen as sponsors, are also known in other languages as Maecenas. This term was derived from the name of Gaius Maecenas, a very close friend, and adviser to Augustus, the Roman Emperor. In Renaissance Italy, the family of Medici is considered to be one of the biggest patrons of art and has sponsored many of the artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli. Most of the artists invited would reside at the Medici court in Florence enjoying the privileges of being financed and admired by wealthy people.
