Albert barnes art

1. Albert C. Barnes: A Visionary Collector and Medical Innovator
2. Early Life and Medical Career
3. Invention of Argyrol and Business Success
4. Founding of the Barnes Foundation
5. Eccentricities and Final Days

Albert C. Barnes: A Visionary Collector and Medical Innovator

Albert C. Barnes was an American physician, inventor, and art collector who made significant contributions in both medical science and the world of art. Born into a modest family in Philadelphia in 1872, Barnes went on to achieve remarkable success in various endeavors.

Early Life and Medical Career

Barnes graduated from Central High School in 1889 and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1892. He then taught chemistry at his alma mater for two years before pursuing further studies at the University of Berlin in 1894-1895. In 1900, he earned his doctorate in pharmacology from the University of Heidelberg. While in Heidelberg, Barnes, along with student Hermann Hille, developed an antiseptic solution called Argyrol.

Invention of Argyrol and Business Success

In 1902, Barnes and Hille founded Barnes and Hille, a pharmaceutical company that produced Argyrol. The antiseptic proved highly effective in treating gonorrhea and neonatal blindness caused by the disease. Barnes capitalized on its popularity, and the company became extremely profitable. By establishing manufacturing facilities in Philadelphia, London, and Australia, Barnes cemented his financial success.

Founding of the Barnes Foundation

Barnes's medical career laid the foundation for his artistic pursuits. He amassed an extraordinary collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Modern art, specializing in works by Matisse, Cézanne, Picasso, and Renoir. In 1922, he established the Barnes Foundation, an educational institution dedicated to the study and appreciation of art. The first building of the gallery was completed in 1923-1924.

Eccentricities and Final Days

Barnes was known for his eccentric personality and unwavering commitment to educating the underprivileged. He often clashed with the Philadelphia society, feeling himself an outsider. His gallery was initially used to avoid taxation, and only a small portion of the collection was accessible to the public with his personal permission.

In 1951, Barnes tragically died in a car accident when his Cadillac failed to stop at a stop sign and was hit by a truck. His vast art collection became the heart of the Barnes Foundation, which today continues to inspire and educate countless visitors.