Art, History and Preservation: A Study on Legacy

If you’re a collector of fine art, you know how valuable certain pieces of artwork can be. And not just from a monetary perspective, but also the intrinsic value of exquisite aesthetics and profound emotional fulfilment. Great artwork stands the test of time – if you take the appropriate steps to preserve it properly and allow its cultural legacy to endure.

At Corient, we have a team of specialists who truly understand and embrace the world of fine art. Our dedicated Art Management Team can offer practical insights on how to manage and preserve an art collection. Using the fascinating story of Thomas Coke as an example, we look at the history of Coke’s prestigious collection and how it has been curated to maintain its rightful legacy. It’s a lesson in the challenges of stewardship that art collectors and enthusiasts will appreciate and learn from.

The Holkham Hall collection

Housed in a private family mansion in Norfolk (East of England), the collection at Holkham Hall has its origins in the ‘Grand Tour’ era of the 18th century. Young British aristocrats would travel Europe as part of their cultural education, bringing back artistic masterpieces as ‘souvenirs’ of their journey to display at home. During this time, Thomas Coke (the first Earl of Leicester) travelled extensively across Europe, particularly Italy, avidly collecting paintings and sculptures from old masters like Leonardo Da Vinci and Luigi Vanvitelli. Coke also collected extraordinary manuscripts, books and sketches that were often commissioned to the most important Roman artists of the time.

All of these brilliant pieces of art had to be meticulously packed to preserve their integrity, and transported on long trips through the Alps or by boat. That same degree of care (albeit with more sophisticated techniques) is applied to these collection pieces today, as they are regularly moved from one exhibition to another across the world for art lovers to admire. Save for a few minor sales over the years, Holkham Hall’s historic collection remains essentially intact.

Consider family stewardship and succession

Thomas Coke died with no heirs; it was his great-nephew, Thomas William, who inherited the art collection. Heirs from succeeding generations kept these historically significant works at the centre of the family’s focus.

This serves as a reminder to today’s art collector that it’s imperative to have an up-to-date will that provides clear direction on who should inherit the collection and what should be done with it from a stewardship perspective. As part of a comprehensive estate plan, a will can ensure that the collection is well taken care of (or sold) according to the owner’s express wishes.

Conservation practices and preventive measures

While Holkham Hall remains a family home, the collection is on display and the residence is available for special events, such as weddings and group tours. With so many visitors coming and going today, it presents a challenge for artwork preservation. Accidents do happen occasionally, and climate control has become difficult to manage at times, given the impact of body heat and in-home heating systems on the temperature and humidity levels of the display rooms. Holkham Hall is both a home and a museum, requiring a delicate balance in how to optimally maintain internal conditions through the different seasons.

Protecting valuable artwork is also an exercise in awareness regarding the environment in which the collection is housed. As you evaluate the space, take note of any windows in the room. Can they be opened? Are they sealed properly to help minimise draughts or dust from entering the room? What sources of light do you have, and what’s the brightness? If you have ample sunlight or other bright lighting, it could cause substantial fading or other permanent colour shifts, or severely degrade materials like paper or fabric over time. Framing art with UV-filtering glass can help block potentially harmful rays, while acid-free paper extends longevity and helps protect against environmental damage. Is there a fireplace nearby that could disrupt the temperature controls you’ve put in place? Know which pieces of art in your collection are most vulnerable to suboptimal interior conditions, and then proactively utilise modern technology and other proven techniques to help conserve them.

Ensure your artwork legacy

Properly maintaining a valuable and beloved art collection requires considerable work and regular monitoring. If you take good care of your artwork, you and the generations to follow can enjoy them for many years to come. An art management expert can offer support and advice around purchase and sale, insurance, exhibiting, transport, security and the conservation and cataloguing of artworks.

All matters of acquiring and owning art, managing a collection or transferring assets of historical significance to the next generation require careful planning and specialist expertise. Speak to your Corient Client Relationship Manager for support on all aspects of art management and estate planning.

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