There once was a time when art was not just an expression. The role of art in society used to be more than just being a commodity. It used to be a symbol of power, prestige, and influence. It was commissioned by the kings, preserved by the nobles, and patronized by the elite, as well as religious institutions such as the church. It was through a system of patronage that classical artists of the past built wonders that still leave viewers in awe. But the world has changed now, as the kings and the nobles are gone and modern-day billionaires and corporations have emerged, which have failed to continue this system of patronage to preserve art and culture.
The Need for Patronage
If artists dedicate their entire time to innovating or creating art, they often struggle to earn a living and lead a practical life. Art requires years of continuous commitment from the artist, without engaging in other practical work, and also doesn’t immediately put food on the table. Moreover, it isn’t certain whether the art would pay off for the artist in the end. Hence, patronage was the system that would take care of the expenses of the artists so they could focus entirely on their craft.
The system of patronage is a social and financial structure where sculptors, writers, musicians, or other artists of all sorts would be financially supported by the wealthy. Historically, monarchs, aristocrats, noble dynasties, and religious institutions would take part in this system in order to gain prestige if the artistic projects paid off.
The Historical Significance of Patronage
This system is not something of recent past. The system of Patronus-Clientes existed in ancient Rome, where the Patronas were the wealthy and influential patrons who would provide financial, social, and other support to their clients (Clientes), who would, in return, offer services and loyalty to their patronus. This system supported many artists, writers, and philosophers of that time. The system of patronage can be seen in the case of Emperor Augustus commissioning Virgil to write The Aeneid, a poem glorifying Rome’s origin.
When Europe was in the Dark Ages, the medieval period where war and ignorance prevailed, in the city-states of modern-day Italy, the dawn of a new era was unfolding. The Renaissance is considered to be the cultural revival in Europe, but this revival wouldn’t have been possible without this system of patronage. The Renaissance was the golden era of artistic patronage, as during this period, aristocratic dynasties of Italian city-states such as the Medici Family of Florence, Sforza Family of Milan, and Borgia Family of Rome, served the role of commissioning artists of different kinds to produce cultural artistic wonders.
The Decline of Patronage and the Role of Modern Capitalists
Some of the eminent artistic achievements of these periods were commissioned by the rich. If it were not for this system of patronage, the works of artists, writers, and others wouldn’t have been possible. For instance, the Sistine Chapel ceiling, built by Michelangelo, was commissioned by Pope Julius II. One of the most well-recognized paintings is The Last Supper, created by Leonardo da Vinci. It was commissioned by the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza. Similarly, other works completed through similar patronage include the Florence Cathedral Dome and Medici Chapel.
Art flourished not only within the walls of these city-states but also spread beyond them. One such example is the Bourbon dynasty in France, which patronized various cultural monuments. King Louis XIV of the Bourbon dynasty patronized the majestic paintings and grand architecture present in the Palace of Versailles.
The system of patronage also wasn’t limited to the western part of the globe. Throughout history, the art and culture of our region have been rich and vibrant, with the system of patronage contributing to its enrichment. Dynasties like the Guptas and Mauryas commissioned the construction of sculptures, literature, and other architectural masterpieces across ancient India through their reigns.
When Europe was undergoing this cultural revolution, art and culture were also booming on the other side of the globe in the South Asian subcontinent. During the time of the Mughal Empire, there was immense financial commissioning of artists. Emperor Akbar, during his reign, had a handful of nine people he referred to as his “Navratnas” (nine jewels). These individuals included artists of paramount talent, whose living was entirely covered by Emperor Akbar. These were scholars like Abul Fazl and Faizi, intellectuals like Birbal and Mulla Do Piyaza, and the musician Tansen.
Even in the later period of the Mughal Empire, Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last emperor of the empire, was himself involved in artistic pursuits. His own writings are enough to justify his devotion to art, but his efforts to preserve the art and culture are also evident through his acts of patronage toward poets like Ghalib and Mir Taqi Mir.
Although this system contributed greatly to the preservation and elevation of art, artists did not have complete freedom over their work. These acts of benefaction by the wealthy often had ulterior motives. A major purpose behind this was to exert influence and showcase respect among the general public. These aristocratic families leveraged this system of artistic patronage to solidify their status and enhance their legacy. However, this directly led to the flourishing of art and culture, as artists could dedicate their time entirely to producing artistic marvels, with their financial needs being met.
The Shift to Contemporary Patronage
For instance, when noble families commissioned an artist to construct structures or artworks, they would often have their family crests engraved into the design as a symbol of prestige and honor, as was done by the Sforza family, rulers of Milan, whose family crest appears on the tombs of Milan Cathedral.
However, in the contemporary world, the status of art in society has changed. Art, which once used to be a symbol of prestige and cultural domination, has now been limited to being a commodity, driven by market demand and financial gain. In modern times, patronage has shifted from these aristocrats to the capitalists of today. The corporations, governments, and billionaires of today have replaced the patrons of the past. Art is often used nowadays by the wealthy for ill practices like money laundering and turning black money into white. The billionaires of today, although replacing the aristocrats of yesterday, have failed to fulfill the gap left by these aristocratic dynasties in preserving and nurturing art and culture, as they are focused more on short-term profits from safer investments, unlike the long-term artistic pursuits.
The system of patronage, however, has shifted from being a practice of nobles to a crowdsourced practice. Through applications like Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee, GoFundMe, and others, a system of crowdfunding has been created, enabling artists to receive financial support from their audience. This allows them to fulfill their ambitions instead of struggling to make ends meet.