Old world masters in new world collections

This richly illustrated volume surveys more than a hundred masterpieces by European Old Masters that now reside in private American collections. From 13th‑century devotional panels to 18th‑century mythological scenes, each entry pairs a high‑quality reproduction with concise notes on its provenance and the collector who brought it across the Atlantic. The book highlights the pivotal role of early twentieth‑century dealers such as Sir Joseph Duveen in shaping these remarkable assemblages.

Readers will encounter familiar icons like Titian’s portrait of Caterina Cornaro, Reynolds’s portrait of Mrs. Siddons, and Gainsborough’s celebrated Blue Boy, alongside lesser‑known gems such as Drouais’s La Marquise de Villemomble. Brief biographical sketches of historic owners—ranging from Frederick the Great to Queen Christina of Sweden—add a human dimension to the artistic narrative. Together, the images and commentary offer an accessible glimpse into a transatlantic dialogue that elevated American private collections to a status once reserved for Europe’s grandest palaces.