Alfred Pope was a prominent American businessman and art collector who lived from 1842 to 1913. He was one of the earliest and most influential patrons of Impressionist paintings in the United States, and his collection is now preserved at the Hill-Stead Museum in Connecticut. In this article, we will explore his life, achievements, and the circumstances of his death.
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Early Life and Education
Alfred Pope was born in North Vassalboro, Maine on July 4, 1842. His father, Alton Pope, was a successful wool merchant who moved his family to Ohio in 1861. Alfred attended Milton Academy and Harvard College, graduating in 1862 and 1867 respectively. He then enrolled in Harvard Medical School, where he studied pathology and biochemistry.
Business Career and Wealth
In 1869, Alfred Pope left the medical field and joined the Cleveland Malleable Iron Company, a newly formed enterprise that produced a strong and versatile form of metal for the construction industry. He rose to the position of president and expanded the company to include six plants in the Midwest, known as the National Malleable Castings Company. He also invested in several other manufacturing and financial ventures, becoming one of the richest men in Cleveland. He built a lavish townhouse on Euclid Avenue, where he lived with his wife, Ada Lunette Brooks, and their only child, Theodate.
Art Collection and Patronage
In the late 1880s, Alfred Pope developed a passion for art and began to collect paintings by European and American artists. He was especially drawn to the Impressionist movement, which captured the effects of light and color on everyday scenes. He acquired works by Édouard Manet, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, James McNeill Whistler, and Mary Cassatt, among others. He was one of the first Americans to appreciate and support these artists, who were often criticized and rejected by the conservative art establishment. He also befriended some of the artists, such as Whistler, who advised him on his purchases and praised his taste. He displayed his collection in his home, where he hosted many cultural and social events.
Hill-Stead and Legacy
In 1901, Alfred Pope decided to build a country estate in Farmington, Connecticut, where he could enjoy his art collection and the natural beauty of the landscape. He entrusted the design of the house to his daughter, Theodate, who was a talented and pioneering architect. She created a Colonial Revival mansion that incorporated elements of French and English styles, and arranged the rooms to showcase her father’s paintings. The house, named Hill-Stead, was completed in 1904 and became the family’s summer residence. Alfred Pope died at Hill-Stead on August 5, 1913, at the age of 71. The exact cause of his death is not known, but it is likely that he succumbed to natural causes related to old age or illness, according to Wikipedia. He left his fortune and his art collection to his daughter, who later donated the house and its contents to the public. Today, Hill-Stead is a museum that preserves and celebrates the legacy of Alfred Pope and his family. It is one of the finest examples of American Impressionist art and architecture, and a testament to the vision and generosity of a remarkable man.
