The Waddesdon Bequest: an obsession for collecting
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ย. 2024
- Discover the story of how Baron Ferdinand Rothschild collected nearly 300 exceptionally important and beautiful medieval and Renaissance objects. Originally housed in the Smoking Room of Waddesdon Manor, the superb collection was bequeathed to the British Museum in 1898 and is now housed in a new gallery funded by The Rothschild Foundation (Room 2a).
This film includes contributions from Baron Ferdinand’s relatives Hannah Rothschild and Jacob Rothschild, along with artist Grayson Perry, artist and author Edmund de Waal, British Museum Curator of the gallery Dora Thornton, Head of Collections at Waddesdon Manor Pippa Shirley, and British Museum Director Neil MacGregor, who talk about their favourite pieces.
The Waddesdon Bequest is a collection of medieval and Renaissance treasures bequeathed to the British Museum by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild in 1898. It was redisplayed in a new gallery in June 2015: ow.ly/O3Nlu
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We just came back from London. We went in this room and I had no idea it belonged to one man. There was so much treasure, it was overwhelming. It is certain he had great taste. The thorn reliquary is so busy, your eye runs from place to place to figure out what your looking at, but it is magnificent.
the backstory on each of those works of art, are as intricate as the art itself I'm sure.
As a jeweler, I say these pieces are stunning. As usual, the craftspeople are unknown and unnamed. Faberge, Tiffany, even Michaelangelo had ‘helpers’ who did most of the work, from a design or model by the master. I bow deeply to these invisible geniuses. I echo “Drink NukaClassic’.
Calvin Hobbes I see these works and I think of The artisans who put these together. I’m a floral designer and it takes a lot out of one putting a design together. Those putting these pieces that are shown are made by fine craftsmanship
Calvin Hobbes I have a beautiful early20th century Tiffany enamel and gold christening bracelet given by my godfather. One of the few earthly possessions that has great sentimental meaning for me as a christian
Calvin Hobbes Faberge did the eggs personally. But you are right. Mostly everything else was from helpers. But I am sure the people who did these pieces also had helpers. Maybe. Such talent and patience.
How much money can all cost?
Why do jehovah jehovah witnesses like silver?
These objects were created delicately, uniquely and extremely interesting and amazing. Their creators are brilliant people.
And yet, due to money and power, all they spoke about was the banker that bought them, not the artists - he able to tell the museum how to display them out of context - just my tuff, so prolls will know it's all about me..
Don't overestimate it.
The collection is magnificent and overwhelming. I adore it and I am so appreciative of the fact that someone was able to afford to save these pieces in one collection and that we now all have access to it so that our eyes can 'devour' such beautiful and remarkable craftmanship.
This is an extremely impressive collection. It would be a honor to spend hours viewing it, and taking it all in. I hope to see it one day.
Magnificent ...and .... Magnificent .... its truly a WOW Collection ... What detail what summitry What beauty ... What craftsmanship ...
I LOOK IN SHEER AMAZEMENT and AWE !!! ... What an amazing opportunity to see this first hand ...
What a treat it would be to spend endless hours at the British Museum.
Hours? I fear jears are necessary to have just an overlook about all the treasures the british museum has! Oh what a pity I'll never have just a glimpse of it! 😭😭😭
Even if you wandered around for days you wouldn't see everything properly and the collection on display is only a small part of a vast collection. It really is very impressive indeed. If you have the opportunity to come to England, take the time to visit. It is one of the world's great collections.
Trust me. I've been 6 times and never saw the whole thing 😂😂😂
A dream!
@@@michaelagampe7685
What does "jears" mean?
The fantastic wealth that lends (sorry, for the pun) itself to the collection is amazing. There is always something spirited in museums, sometimes frighteningly beautiful, indeed the collector's heart and soul along with the lives of the creators of such things linger in such places. Quite frankly beyond perception in full.
Wonderful, I long to see it. It’s perhaps the best collection of Europe’s best art objects ever.
I'm working on a painting right now. I felt a bit idiotic because I can't seem to stop working on it, like the more time I devote the better it gets. That goes against the modern technique of knocking art off as quickly as possible. I actually felt stupid being so slow. Now I feel vindicated. The more time I spend the better it gets. What a riotous thrill this video is for the eyes. Thank you.
You cannot run through this collection it takes you hours upon hours of sheer appreciation on viewing ..I remember it fondly
These items are so beautiful. I can imagine the lifetimes that went into creating that collection.
Such a deep load of memories, sentimentil.. The feeling. Beyond reach and grasp within human hearts.
Ferdinand Rothschilds words on his wife are beautiful and moving
Harry Burrows I thought the same. It seems he invested his passion for his wife after she died into his collection. It makes me feel he could never fill that emptiness even with all the spectacular items he acquired.
"He found human relationships difficult"
Me: Same Ferdi, same.
I totally share G. Perry’s opinion. I’m amazed by the work behind it and the time looked through the object
It's so beautiful its intoxicating to look upon and marvel at. An absolutely immaculate journey through time
I think the boxwood tabernacle is the most impressive piece of the entire collection. Practically worthless wood transformed into something almost priceless by the the will of it's creator, it's beautiful. I wonder though if this generous bequest isn't a deep guilt of the usury employed to generate the wealth for it's purchase. If not it certainly should be.
What do you mean by practically worthless wood? ... U fucking bustard, how dare you call a tree an wood... Trees are the greatest gift of God for the humans and nature is the most beautiful thing.. Your manmade delusions are worthless in terms of life.
@@dipenganguly2635 Lol , you clearly totally misunderstood the métaphore of Jon. Read again and don't focus on the only word worthless because that the whole point of the métaphore one completed with Priceless . It is by all means giving this small piece of wood the greatest honor it could have as a religious piece of Art .
It sounds a bit as though Ferdinand found a refuge in his home. He perhaps was a shy man by nature.
Gotta love how these museum types tend to lend themselves to embellish the motives of their benefactors in owning these pieces. To those who have them they were simply objects in their home to fill large living spaces or collaterals to debt acquired at deep discount from their previous owners. To those who hail from simpler backgrounds they transform by way of the museum's narratives to rarities that are subjects of awe and wonder.
exactly 100%
Exactly 0%
I disagree.
I don't think you're a collector. Collectors--whether it's humble barbie dolls & baseball cards, or monumental Rothko paintings, or priceless European artifacts--are usually driven by passions & aesthetics. Certainly there are practical considerations--as the video explained, the Rothschilds conducted business on country weekends & used their possessions to proclaim their wealth and status. But collectors don't usually collect randomly. Even the Waddesdon collection, while wide-ranging, has a particularly ornate intricate almost lush aesthetic that denotes a particular vision on the part of the collector. It's almost exclusively gothic/renaissance objects, made with the most expensive materials & by the most talented artists. The collection is a reflection of the collector, his aesthetics & his motivation for collecting.
Don't forget, long before they became successful bankers, the Rothschild family were dealers in coins, collectible & art on a minor scale. They're a family that is incredibly proud of their history, & I would guess their collections today are also a way to hearken back to & honour that early family history. I'm sure F Rothschild had MANY collections at his many homes, but it's clear he had a vision for this collection that reflects what he wanted to say about himself, his family & his values.
@@tothelighthouse9843 Welp many people see them as a crime family and think their early art was looted from other European countries
@@Willowtree82 Many people are also anti-semitic idiots riddled with envy & malice.
I could sit all day looking at these Beautiful works of Art. Great
One cannot take anything material with us, so giving to Museum, is best of all to share for many years, with the public, whom would appreciate it.
The rock crystal bowl amazed me. It was so elegant made from solid stone.
This isn’t just a show of wealth, it’s a show of craftsmanship. And if the landed gentry didn’t develop taste, and spend wildly, those artists abilities would never have come to development.
Yeah, heard the same argument in defense of religious art. The most obvious objection to this is that we can never know what sort of wonders a world without obscene disparities in living conditions would have produced.
Emma Bovary yes exactly craftsmanship& how we are loosing the arts by mass production. Artist do work in detail, my Mom&I and my youngest son can testify to this. My mom & I used to talk about how we draw in detail& we would work our way down instead of cross sketch as I learned at the Academy of Arts in SF. it was funny we where so intricate compared to the modern day teachings aka fine arts. I think of the Celtic works in how they where so intricate& we have a lot of Celt in us! High Rose Stewarts, Welsh lines on both my parents side. I identify with intricate works the most, I literally can get lost for hours in creation like time has stopped. No time in the spirit realm. That's the real beauty of this work because it involves much passion& a lost talent if not resurrected from the dead by people not becoming Stale as my great uncle W.F.Libby would say.
*Thank you*
And that is how money takes credit for art and craftsmanship that they are incapable of producing themselves.
...because it helps to stroke their own arrogant ego some more, while simultaneously showing how baseless the arrogance is.
Artists and artisans create beautiful objects even if they don't have a rich benefactor.
It's a show of robbed cultures. How do you think those artifacts were acquired?
The Waddesdon Gallery is undoubtedly one of the most exquisite rooms at the British Museum. I just couldn't get enough of each and every magnificent object on display, I would have remained in Room 2a for weeks on end and savour the fine, skilled, extraordinary craftsmanship of each and every object collected by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild who generously bequeathed them to the British Museum to be enjoyed by the public.
My deepest gratitude to Baron Rothschild, to Neil MacGregor,, the former Director of British Museum, to Baron Ferdinand Rothschild's relatives - Nathaniel Charles Jacob Rothschild, 4th Baron Rothschild, and Hannah Rothschild - and to the artists and curators featured in this amazing video
We collect on a smaller scale .. a delight to touch... thrill of delight on my small frame , bless you young man to feel what you felt.
Obsessive collecting? Dressing up recreationism? 06:00 "Is an interactive artifact, not a toy, mom!"? Is this how ancient nerds look like, then...?
that's funny.
Yes , exactly what it is 😂
The Waddesdon Bequest is a beautiful and loving gift to people full stop. Rich people could fight till the lawyers drop dead over something so beautiful but this family chose to collectively gift it to the people.
Safer in the museum and better oversight I reckon. Going to be seen by those who are interested. Target market. Clutter to me. History.
It's good that he gave this to the British Museum for the education and enjoyment of the public.
This man was brilliant every piece has a story to every cut.
Wow the endpapers in the Red Book are just gorgeous.
Love the comment from the pompous git at the end. "Didn't expect to see something like THIS in the British Museum!" What a back handedcompliment!
Exquisite Workmanship.. thank you for sharing this, I'm a collector and I really appreciate the history of the pieces and art.
What a stunning collection. Thanks for this video!
These pieces are absolutely astonishing. I think I should very much like to travel to see them for myself. Perhaps, if I'm lucky, even learn more about them, their collector and original artists.
I have spent a good 2 hrs watching all of these collections in the British museum. Its delicate poetry in jewels. Enjoyed my moments and will advise all to visit and watch this in real life.
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS...
Great art speaks to the human condition, and so it is no surprise that it gets caught up in the faultlines of our existence, our social orderings, and our understanding. It reminds us that we all experience life with equal directness, and the richness of life is everyone's for the embracing.
I have no money ,no resources no hopes. I am the happiest man on earth. (I wonder if the the Rothchild's are.)
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. I visited Waddesdon and it is truly beautiful.
Never knew of this...but so amazing.. I would love to go to the museum!
There is no need for external shows of wealth, anymore. True wealth lies within.
Brenda Colman , tell that to the rappers
Such mixed feelings.
Gratitude that these exquisite pieces have been preserved, gathered and exhibited publicly.
Frustration that we are instructed to simply admire the collectors as 'benefactors', rather than gleaning any insight into the lives of those who created these marvels, how they were acquired or under what circumstances. Clearly, the focus is on the 'Great and the Good' with acquisitive genes, not those whose genes blessed them with the abilities to produce the treasures that they amuse themselves with, or those who relinquished them to make such a collection possible.
(Understandable. One can only imagine the enormity of the leverage this clan wields over curators, worldwide.)
Dismay that some of the most sublime pieces of Christian workmanship were grasped in the hands of those who have proudly displayed a great admiration for, cooperation with (and perhaps loyalty toward) forces of corruption rather than redemption. I try to imagine the sacred venues for which the reliquaries and tabernacles were created, rather than a smoking room in which unthinkable power was applied toward a single end...
All in all, it's a wicked old world, and those with power skim the cream.
From time to time I am given glimpses of that harvest, and am overwhelmed with joy that God has given humanity gifts that transcend all human dynasties, and that cannot be bought at any price.
Yes, wealth will garner you the harvest - but only the Creator can bestow the seed from which it springs...and that seed is eternal.
I was trying to pick a favorite but I love them all. 👍
What a remarkable man and the fact he gave his collection to the museum to be enjoyed by us was a really nice thing to do. The way you organised the collection so as to get a sense of him also as a collector as you walk round is genius really. ✌️
You can have all this! All you need to do is open a Bank
Pure talent coming from a different way of life and different era. Absolutely amazing!!!!!!!
The close ups of portions of the contents allows an artist like myself a real grasp of the high degree of workmanship of days gone, i dare say that objects such as these shown in this video give novices like me what one is capable of that artistion's need only visit such buildings that are stewards of such exquisite works of magnificence. In short i offer my sincerest gratitude for sharing what at one time was limited to certain audiences.
I've only just begun working on bone in hopes that one day my abilities will be admired in the same way and manner as these where.
P. S......is there any place where the raw materials are embellished will a lesser degree of precision??, so that I may have a place to start from. Perhaps a book of that type of workmanship.
Sincerely and appreciably yours
Leslie F. Reed
Hazel Park, Michigan USA
To me collecting would have less to do with showing off than feeling an obligation to use ones wealth to support artists so that people in the future get to experience what their ancestors were capable of.
Wow, this video convinced me that I need to make it a goal to see this for myself.
i must see it
th-cam.com/video/7YEPhe2Gp0Y/w-d-xo.html
Fabulous and wondrous collection of beautiful, vibrant, vividly speaking pieces. I would like to know more about the stunning necklace Ms. Hannah Rothschild is wearing with such elegance. It also looks like a breathtaking Renaissance creation, fit to be in company with the rest. Exquisite taste certainly runs in the family, alongside the passion for collecting Lord Rothschild mentions!
Just breathtaking in its intensity.....
This was one of the top 5 or 6 rooms to visit there. The Tabernacle was awe inspiring let alone. I have to watch others before I can give a more appropriate ranking!
Utterly amazing Cheers from OZstralia
All of this curators and art mavens say some ridicules things, as if they "know" the mind of the collector personally. How do any of them know what he was thinking or way he collected what he did. If any of us had fantastic amounts of money and we had a love of pencil boxes or miniature boats that is what we be buy. No mystery in that. These curators try to make of it more than it was. The guy wanted to show off this wealth not unlike rap stars buying gold rings. Human nature hasn't change through history. The rich and powerful have always had the very best and we ALL do the same thing only limited to how much we can spend. The collector real value in the story is that he protected the items from going into obscurity or oblivion.
The Charles Dickens library could not possibly have been in the museum during the 1830's, which is when Dora Thornton said that it was, as her date would have made him too young, only in his twenties, and at the start of his career. His last installment of Oliver Twist was not published until the end of the 1830's (specifically 1839), while his June Pickwick installment had to be put off that same year, owing to his grief over the death of his wife's sister. This was at the very start of what was to become his intense popularity, but he was far from firmly established at that time.
This is not the only mistake of Dr. Thornton's which I've spotted lately. Anyone can tell that there is a distinct difference between a three-quarter length portrait and a half length one, especially a student of art such as myself. The Flemish artist known as "the Master of the Female Half Lengths" was not given his or her name owing to a penchant for painting three-quarter length portraits of young women, after all. Please tell her that a waist length portrait is known, therefore, as a _half length_ one. Her description of the Hilliard portrait medallion of Elizabeth I was misleading, which has led to a certain amount of doubt in my mind as to her ability to recall certain facts. She seemed to know Hilliard's work well enough, I'll grant her that. She is certainly far more qualified than I to describe such a precious object.
It was astonishing to me to hear her give such glaringly incorrect information to the public. I am merely a history buff with no special skills or training, and yet I spotted both errors instantly. I was relaxing during my viewing time, and not hunting for anyone's mistakes. In fact, I was trusting in the British Museum's reputation. You can imagine my dismay when I came across Dr Thornton's mistakes. As I've yet to see but two of her segments, I now find myself wondering about any others I might see, including those that feature other curators instead.
When your focus is on gathering inside your burrow as many "precious materials", "laborious details" and "rarity", you may end up living your life without experiencing art.
That reliquary would fetch maybe $2000 on Ebay in the US. The tabernacle, maybe $50. The cup, probably $10. But a Superman Action Comics #1, now THAT would get you $ 3.000.000 in America..
A Wonderful Bequest from a Wonderful Family, for a Wonderful Museum in a Wonderful Country !
Gracious of this family to share this with the public.
There is a carved wood rosary bead in the Cloisters Museum in NYC of similar workmanship & exquisite detail.
It's wonderful that these things have been collected, preserved and their beauty shared with the public.
Incredible. I am off to the British Museum on Monday after seeing this. Thank you.
Would have been SO NICE if she'd let us actually SEE the photos of the "red book!"
Anthony Trollope was an English novelist and civil servant of the Victorian era. Among his best-known works is a series of novels collectively known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire,
I have been to Waddeson and I believe seen some of artifacts in collection at British Museum. Now I want to return with my new knowledge and appreciation for what's on offer!
In other words....he was a very, very rich and choosy hoarder..... Oh, wait, he had money, so he was an eccentric nobleman. Amazing. Thank Heaven he was and did--else we might never have these things to admire and see and wonder about.
Amazing stuff. And it's all free to look at. What a great gift of culture.
Haven't you heard? White people don't have culture...
Nobody it only looks like it because so many of them insist on stealing ours. 😂
Honestly though can we bring back some super obscure fashion from Europe? With the with our warped beauty standards I’d say we’re overdue for bustles!
@@Nobody-11B your comment is horrible and offensive, feels most inappropriate for this platform.
in relation to the white culture comment
A delightful and sensitive presentation. Thank you!
Those amazing time capisals need mirrors to see the details of this art pieces. This is so fun to hear the Rothchilds liked to collect his of object to preserve history, I to take into enjoying the pieces of time to I can teach others about our past.
What struck me was the Christian iconography collected by a member of a persecuted immigrant family. The only thing I saw that celebrated Jewishness was that amazing Tabernacle. I'm sure it wasn't easy to be a Jew even in 19th/20th century Britain.
Let's celebrate the people that made these wonderful objects not the people that owned them. Their wealth was only made possible by the oppression of many.
That seems to be the point of Ferdinand leaving his estate to the British museum.
Wonderful collection and a verry beautiful house
These people are craftsmen.
They are artists not Craftsmen.
Nah they are slaves.
“So that you have the most spiritually precious object surrounded by the most materially valuable things.”
Just like Jesus wanted!
Holy Crap its Mr Burns !!!!
Ikr
Yup! 😂👍🏾
daphoenixto LOL
It's the real Mr. Burns.
Or simpsons got the idea from watching him!!
Behold the great red Dragon and the woman clocked in the sun....William Blake
So skipper... You have an opportunity here, to show us the REAL QUOTE...
The great red dragon is satan. The woman clothed in sun is st. Mary. The dragon tries to overtake her in this picture. She isnt evil.
I visited Waddesdon last month very much enjoyed it
it sad to say that with all this wealth you still need to face the reality of death.
Thank you for posting this.
Enjoyed it very much.
Jacob has really done an amazing job at honoring his family and keeping order...wow
Marvellous series.
We keep all our priceless works of art in the smoking room. It's right next to the hair-combing room.
Fascinating
When I read "Rothschild" in the title I thought "well, there are probably going to be some conspiracy-trolls stalking the comment section" - but WOW, they really outdid themselves this time!
So true.This is you tube,inhabited by weirdos and misfits who seem to spend their sad existences imagining lizards,aliens,fairies and god knows what.The sad thing is that they actually believe in it all.Still I suppose it stops them from self harming and torturing guinea pigs.
@Tim Allen you're in a state of paranóia, go get help
Yes, there’s nothing like jealousy to bring out the trolls.
Totally, awesome.
Marvelous collection!!! Must go and check it out one day! Thanks for sharing !
" I believe in genes , don't you?" he says with creepy smirk.
Disagree that this collection was created to "connect with history." This collection is full of only beautiful objects, of great attractiveness, of exquisite detail and workmanship, the gleam and glitter of jewels, the sheen of precious metals, the wood carving beyond belief. These were collected in my opinion first for the sheer joy of being able to appreciate such enchanting objects and then as a way to help preserve them forever.
Beautiful ornate priceless items
The history, the wealth , the castles, the collections, the legends..Rothschilds are truly unique...amazing
Thanks to the Rothschild family for assembling such an important collection and donating it to British Museum for the enjoyment of all.
haha...and if they didnt donate them where would these items be?
They have Mr burns and Mr Bean as a expert, how delightfull. The contents are the ultimate bling , hoarders but no a line of style just collecting , the shinier the better.
Absolutely breathtakingly incredible!!!
Oh look, hippies and Neo-Natzis in one comment section. I’m shocked. 🙄
Не знаю от чего больше получил удовольствие, лицезрев раритеты или слушая умнейших людей.
Such a great collection.
Never see a Hurst pulling a uhaul
Eyes Wide Shut
Illuminati🔺👁️😈
So lovely. Thank you for sharing this with us. Amazing
I believe, that's the most powerful building on the planet