Deriding capitalism and deploring its so-called obsession with money is a common habit among some people who claim they love art. The Chester Dale Collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC is a fabulous collection of art available to all because of the successful efforts of an art-loving capitalist.

Who Was Chester Dale?

Chester Dale (1883-1962) started working on the stock market at the age of 15, and by the age of 21 he owned his own brokerage house. A financial genius who made his fortune in bond trading, he was able to continue purchasing major works of art all during the 1920s and throughout the Depression. During that time, he and his wife Maud acquired some of the most famous paintings in the world.

What Kind of Art Did Chester and Maud Dale Buy?

Maud was a trained artist, and she guided his purchases. At first they purchased American art, specifically the work of George Bellows, Mary Cassatt, and William Merritt Chase. After that, his acquisitions included French artists, among them Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The Dales also acquired work by Amadeo Modigliani, Edgar Dégas, Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Georges Braque, and Pablo Picasso.

Dale's Bequest to the National Gallery

As time went by, Dale became heavily involved with the National Gallery of Art, which was built in the early 1940s. When he died in 1962, the National Gallery received over 300 works of art, and his bequest included $500,000 to fund three fellowships. One of the stipulations in his will required that none of the artworks ever be lent out.

The National Gallery's Chester Dale Collection: Free for All

If you like art and you're ever in Washington DC, check out the Chester Dale Collection. Every piece Dale collected during his lifetime will be there, and you can see it free of charge. After a couple of hours strolling through the six galleries that display these priceless acquisitions, you may feel inspired to defend what capitalism at its best can do. You will have seen some of the best art in the world for free because someone with financial wherewithal decided to share his money wisely.