Henry M. Flagler's Painting Collection: The Taste of a Gilded Age Collector
January 15th through April 14th, 2002

For decades the popular view was that Flagler did not collect in any serious way, however like many things about Henry Flagler, when it came to collecting paintings, there was much more to Flagler than one might expect. Research during the last five years has brought to light the fact that Flagler collected in a manner which was quite typical of the time and his social position. Amassing a collection of more than 180 paintings during his lifetime.

Unfortunately, many of Flagler's paintings were scattered when his Palm Beach Winter estate Whitehall was sold to a group of investors in the 1920s. And, until recently, little has been known about the paintings which once hung in Whitehall and at Flagler's other residences and hotels.

This new exhibit and catalogue document not only Flagler's extensive paintings collection, but also the tastes of his time. Through this exhibit and catalogue it is hoped that a new era in history of the Flagler Museum and Whitehall will be launched. An era in which many of the important paintings which once belonged to Henry Flagler will eventually be returned to Whitehall.

A gallery talk by the Chief Curator of the Flagler Museum on Flagler as a collector was held on March 3rd, as part of the 17thAnnual Whitehall Lecture Series.

Click here to purchase the exhibit catalog

Below are a selection of images from the exhibit.

Young Girl Defending Herself Against Eros
William-Adolphe Bouguereau
University of North Carolina

Morning on the Bosphorus
Frederick Arthur Bridgman
Flagler College

En Voiture
Eduardo Tofano
Flagler Museum

The Great Florida Marsh
Martin Johnson Heade
Flagler Systems

The Camel Train
Georges Washington
Flagler College

Off for a Row
Auguste Pichart
Flagler College