The new Medici: mediating luxury through art

Business patrons of the arts such as Miuccia Prada and Francois Pinault have accumulated significant collections of fine art and established independent galleries to display their purchases. In the complex web of corporate power and privilege, collecting art brings patrons into direct access with artists and enables them to occupy an advantageous position at the biennales, parties and fairs where art is marketed. This paper explores the interrelationship between art, wealth and the luxury and its ramifications for relevant stakeholders.