Great Gift Ideas Inspired by the Art Masterpieces of the Hammer Collection

Armand Hammer who opened Hammer Galleries in New York City in 1928 was a serial entrepreneur who excelled at everything he did; he also excelled at art collecting. Armand Hammer in his retirement started Occidental Petroleum which continues even today as a leading petroleum manufacturer and refinery. A trained physician who prided himself on achieving what people stated was not possible - including amassing a world class art collection.

Dr. Hammer also prided himself on his business connections. And it was perhaps the ability to relate to various people on different levels that provided the foundation for strong business success. His foundation was centered around not just his business acumen and many successful business ventures but also his love for art.

Citizen Diplomat

During his career (May 21, 1898 – December 10, 1990) Dr. Hammer traveled extensively and was known as the "citizen diplomat." A self appointed helper to mend relationships all throughout the world. He loved connecting people across ideologies and cultures from America to Russia was his most fabled connections. That connection too was art but also cattle. Dr. Hammer was a physician and yet that part of his life was very minimal compared to his art collections and connecting points across the world. He traveled from country to country on his private jet, the OxyOne.

Galleries - Coast to Coast - NYC, NY and Los Angeles, California

Dr. Hammer's greatest claim to fame came after his retirement and the creation of the company known as Occidental Petroleum. He has been sited as a great business man and also as a narcissistic. Occidental Petroleum Corporation is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol OXY. Oxy is an international oil and gas exploration and production company, and its OxyChem subsidiary is a major North American chemical manufacturer.

Dr. Hammer's galleries were originally started in the late 1920's in New York.

The Armand Hammer Museum of Art and Culture Center, or the Hammer Museum as it is more commonly known, is an art museum in Los Angeles, California. It is operated by UCLA's School of the Arts and Architecture.

The Los Angeles museum "was founded by Armand Hammer, the late CEO of the Occidental Petroleum Corporation, as a venue to exhibit his extensive art collection. Mr. Hammer died 15 days after the museum opened to the public in November 1990. Mr. Hammer was a Los Angeles County Museum of Art board member for nearly 20 years, beginning in 1968, and during this time had pledged his extensive collection to the museum. To LACMA's surprise, Hammer instead founded his own museum, built adjacent to Occidental's headquarters and designed by architect Edward Larrabee Barnes." source: wikipedia.com

Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Sells for $30.8 Million

The Hammer Museum in 1994 made world wide headlines by selling the Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Leicester to Bill Gates (former Microsoft founder and CEO) for $30.8 million. The Codex Leicester was one of Mr. Hammer's proudest acquisitions, purchased in 1980 for $5.12 million. It is important to note, that Dr. Hammer attempted to rename the Codex to the Codex Hammer. Interestingly also is the fact that most museums have guidelines to use proceeds from the sale of artwork for future acquisitions. However, in this case, wikipedia reports The Hammer Museum sold the 72 page scientific notebook to fund the museum's exhibitions and programs.

Los Angeles Gallery UCLA

"In 1994, UCLA assumed management of the Hammer Museum, with the Armand Hammer Foundation retaining some control, including a "reversionary clause", granting the foundation rights to reclaim the art collection and some of the endowment funds. The museum had long desired to eliminate these clauses.

On January 19, 2007 the Hammer Museum and the Armand Hammer Foundation agreed to dissolve their relationship, dividing the remaining 195 objects which founded the museum; the foundation retaining 92 paintings valued at $55 million, while the museum retaining 103 objects, valued at $250 million."

Dr. Hammer and His "Art of the Chase"

Dr. Hammer prided himself on being challenged. He was told he could not assemble a great art collection and yet he did. The stories of the acquisition and his joy in the acquisition were noted in his biography. He prided himself on the challenge and his achievements but did seem truly in love with beauty of the art for "arts sake".

Famous Artists in the Hammer Art Museum Collection

This is not a comprehensive listing but a start of the household names that you and I are familar with:

• Degas

• Renoir

• da Vinci

• Monet

• Cezzanne

• Van Gogh

New Installation of the Hammer contemporary Collection

The Hammer Gallery remains true to the chase and continues to acquire new additions. As their website reports:

"This new installation of the Hammer Contemporary Collection features approximately 42 significant additions to the collection by Mel Bochner, Mark Bradford, Llyn Foulkes, Evan Holloway, Monica Majoli, Charles Ray, Frances Stark, Alina Szapocznikow, and Gillian Wearing, among others."

Joy in the Journey or Narcissistic?

Was the real joy for him in the journey, the delight in the chase or was it more pomp? Some contain his personality was purely narcissistic and his actions and motives were self-promotional.

Whatever the personality of Dr. Armand Hammer, the fact remains that he unified people and nations with art and science and he created one of the world's best and largest art collections which survives and lives today in Los Angeles, CA.

Great Gift Ideas Buy Art Online & Buying Tips

Love art and wish to share or celebrate a friend's or even perhaps a business associate's love of one of the artists? Provided below are a number of great selections.  Please take note, some are framed, some are simply the print, whatever your choice, it will be a memorable gift that will surely last a lifetime - art has that affect on people, it becomes a part of you.

In 2009, the Hammer Galleries released a new release announcing the acquisition of the Leroy Neiman Homage to Lincoln - limited edition serigraph.

Lincoln, one of the great pilgrims of peace is once again but this time grandly and rightfully so immortalized for his emancipation of the slaves in the United States of America. 2009 marked the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.and the inauguration of the 44th President, Barack Obama.

The painting of somber Lincoln is proudly and brightly portrayed as only LeRoy Neiman could do justice to - with unbeleivable bright colors and liveliness.

Whatever, Hammer's personality, the fact remains a great art collection was one of Dr. Hammer's highest achievements. Bill Gates purchasing a piece of artwork is only one part of the extensive collection.

From old time masters to a master of emancipation (Neiman's Lincoln), the Hammer Gallery continues with its tradition set forth by Dr. Armand Hammer, with excellence and foresight. Celebrating the best of American history alongside the best master artists from around the world.

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