Albert Bender (art patron) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Albert Bender
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portrait detail, from Grabhorn Press, San Francisco
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| Born |
Albert Maurice Bender
June 18, 1866 |
| Died | March 4, 1941 (aged 74) |
| Nationality | Republic of Ireland |
| Occupation | insurance broker |
| Known for | art patron |
Albert Maurice Bender (born June 18, 1866 – died March 4, 1941) was an important art collector. He was a major supporter of the arts in San Francisco during the 1920s and 1930s. He helped start the careers of famous artists like Ansel Adams and was one of the first Americans to support Diego Rivera. Albert Bender gave money and help to artists, writers, and cultural places. His actions greatly helped the art and culture scene in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.
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Early Life and Career
Albert Maurice Bender was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1866. His parents, Philip and Augusta Bender, were from Germany. In 1881, when he was about 15, he moved to the United States. He came with his uncle, Joseph Bremer. His uncle and another relative, William Bremer, lived in San Francisco. William hired young Albert to work in his insurance office. Albert Bender later became a very successful insurance broker on his own.
A Great Supporter of the Arts
Albert Bender loved books and reading from a young age. He started collecting rare books. He also helped create the Book Club of California in 1912. His cousin, Anne Bremer, was a professional artist. She inspired him to start collecting art. He especially liked art by local artists. He also collected art from China, Japan, and Tibet. Bender really enjoyed meeting and helping artists and writers in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Giving Back to the Community
Bender loved giving things away even more than collecting them. He gave many gifts to museums and libraries in the Bay Area. People called him "the most active buyer—and donor—of the work of California artists the state had ever known." He gave large collections to places that are now the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. He also donated to the Mills College Art Museum and the University of California Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive.
Starting in 1932, he gave 260 pieces of Asian art to the National Museum of Ireland. He did this to honor his mother. He also gave collections of rare books and special printed works. These went to Mills College, Stanford University, the University of California, and the San Francisco Public Library.
Honors and Recognition
Because of his generous gifts in Europe, he received many special titles. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. France made him a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. Italy gave him the title of Cavaliere of the Crown. He also received honorary degrees from Mills College and the University of California, Berkeley. Stanford University has a "Bender Room" in its library. Mills College also has a "Bender Room" in its old library building.
Helping Artists and Institutions
Bender was a trustee for Mills College. He was also a commissioner for the San Francisco Public Library. He served on the boards of many groups. These included the California Society of Etchers (now the California Society of Printmakers). He also helped the California Historical Society and the Book Club of California. Other groups he supported were the Japan Society, the Home for Aged Disabled, and the San Francisco Symphony. He was also involved with the Art Association, Museum of Art, Opera Association, and Opera Guild.
Bender helped many artists and photographers start their careers. One famous person he helped was Ansel Adams. Bender paid for Adams's first collection of photos. This was called Parmelian Prints of the High Sierras (1927). He also funded Adams's first book, Taos Pueblo (1930).
His Jewish Faith
In the 1930s, Albert Bender was known as "the best-known Jew in San Francisco." He helped start the Federation of Jewish Charities. He was also a long-time member of Emanu-El. Many people attended his funeral there.
Albert Bender Exhibition in Dublin
A special exhibition about Albert Bender opened in 2008. It is at the National Museum of Ireland. The exhibition is called "A Dubliner's Collection of Asian Art - The Albert Bender Exhibition." It shows the art Bender gave to the museum in the 1930s. You can see this collection at the museum's Decorative Arts and History site. This is located at Collins Barracks in Dublin.
The exhibition displays some of the 260 Asian art objects Bender donated. One very important part is a set of rare thangkas. These are Buddhist tapestries from 18th-century Tibet. There are also many Japanese woodblock prints. You can also see Chinese metalwork and religious figures.
See Also
Images for kids
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portrait detail, from Grabhorn Press, San Francisco
