In art history and adjacent fields, the paradigm of the artist as a freely creating individual is increasingly questioned; at the same time, the role of private patrons as supporters of cultural institutions has become paramount – see the role of people like Pinault in their support of artists such as Damien Hirst, which seems to emulate or even surpass the role of the Medici in the Renaissance.

The first five evening talks in the new NIKI-Webinar series will be given by Bram de Klerck, Victor Schmidt, Wouter Wagemakers, Gloria Moorman, and Martijn van Beek.