GETTY ON ART AND BUSINESS

Many pages are devoted to his interest in art and entries abound in which Getty discusses acquistions, values, appraisals and authentication of artworks, sculptures and other items of world class fame. An astute art collector would certainly identify the processes of Getty's acquisitions and his discussions of the events surrounding the development of his collection.

"LIKE HEARST, I ADMIRE SPLENDOR..."
"Like Hearst, I admire splendor. I like a palatial atmosphere, noble rooms, long tables, old silver, fine furniture, princely swimming pools. If San Simeon had been closer to a city, I would have offered to buy it in the 40's. I think the house and 1000 acres around it might have been purchasable in 1952 for 1/10 of its cost."
April 6, 1962

"I HAVE MUCH IN COMMON WITH WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST..."
"I have much in common with W.R.H. (William Randolph Hearst) and with Hadrian. I, however, have always spent 90% to 95% of my money on my business. Hearst was the opposite. He lived like a Roman emperor. His palace of San Simeon reminds me of Hadrians villa. His beach house at Santa Monica coast $3 mil.. I was his neighbour next door, my house cost $100,000. This is typical of the way we spent money. I suppose that in 1935 I was 1/3 as rich as Hearst, in 1950 I was twice as rich.""
April 4, 1962

These thousands of pages penned by Getty on a daily basis through his life's adventure perhaps offer a somewhat different perspective than the press and history has left us with to sort out. Yes the frugality for which Getty was so notorious can be quite clearly seen through his own text. The irony of wealth and frugality is clearly displayed in many instances as he would spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on artworks during the day followed by an evening diary entry primarily concerned with saving ten dollars on the operation of his house. The diaries also display a sensitive side of this great icon of wealth, an attribute he has been accused of lacking. Entries clearly indicate a great sense of grief upon the loss of his parents and his son Timothy. Many entries show a deep concern for people around him. Perhaps he shunned any public displays of sensitivity and reserved this only for his deepest personal moments. The diaries would lead one to believe this.

Although the interpretation of the diaries is subjective to some extent, these offer in all probablity, the most complete and authoritative introspective into the man's personality in existence. The commentary offered by Getty throughout displays his constant attention to details and an everpresent awareness of the importance of external events upon himself.

From these rare glimpses into his personal life to his narrative on world events and history, these diaries spanning a highly productive period of Getty's life, represent the single most important and authoritative record in existence chronicling the daily activities, philosophies, triumphs and failures of the famous businessman and art collector. The diaries offer important lessons in business, and valuable documentation of art acquisitions. Most of all, the diaries stand as a lasting tribute to Getty the man, and to the many people and events recorded within their pages. When Jean Paul Getty died, he left this detailed record of his life and it remains as basis for any future study on this fascinating personality. He also left us, the American people with an example of what one man's vision can create and in doing so inspired businessmen everywhere. Often criticised for his frugal ways unbefitting a man of his wealth, Getty left behind him a vast fortune estimated at more than $4 billion, counting him by most estimates to be the wealthiest man of his time.

Perhaps it is the fascination with wealth, perhaps his outstanding art collection, or perhaps the fact that he was surrounded by family and business controversy. Whatever the reason, J. Paul Getty has been forever enshrined in human history as a celebrity of World Class proportions. These diaries remain as perhaps the most important record of his life and as such must be considered essential to future generations of scholars and researchers who may desire to furthur their studies on Jean Paul Getty.