Paul Getty: legacy of wealth and art

By Choe Chong-dae When reflecting on men of great wealth, the American oil tycoon J. Paul Getty (1892-1976) inevitably comes to mind. Listed as the richest man in the world in the 1966 Guinness Book of World Records, Getty’s vast fortune was accompanied by his famous remark: “If you can count money, you are not really rich.

” Known for his eccentric frugality, Getty wore the same clothes for over a decade and personally washed his socks during hotel stays. Guests at his residence were even instructed to use an outdoor payphone. In 1973, when the Mafia kidnapped his 16-year-old grandson, Getty’s refusal to pay the full ransom shocked the world.



Yet, Getty’s legacy is far more multifaceted. While parsimonious in his personal life, he was deeply passionate about art. Beginning in the 1930s, he devoted significant resources to collecting ancient sculptures, medieval manuscripts and impressionist paintings.

Getty didn’t acquire these treasures solely for personal enjoyment; he ensured they were accessible to the public. Upon his passing in 1976, he bequeathed a substantial portion of his fortune to his foundation for the acquisition and exhibition of art, ensuring that future generations could enjoy his collection free of charge. His grandson, Mark Getty, extended the family’s name into the digital era by co-founding Getty Images, a leading provider of stock photography and visual media.

Through this initiative, he preserved the Getty legacy in a modern form, making high-quality images widely accessible in the digital age. Getty’s devotion to art is embodied in two iconic institutions: The Getty Villa museum and the Getty Center. Located in Pacific Palisades near the Malibu coast, the Getty Villa’s stunning setting contrasts with the challenges posed by California’s recurring wildfires.

Though wildfires have repeatedly threatened the region, the villa has remained unscathed, thanks to state-of-the-art fire prevention systems and meticulous staff preparation. In 2019, the Getty Fire burned nearby areas, but the center’s fire-resistant travertine stone walls, advanced irrigation systems and controlled vegetation management kept it unharmed — even as surrounding areas suffered devastation. Completed in 1997 by renowned architect Richard Meier, nicknamed "White Meier" for his signature use of geometric white structures, the Getty Center exemplifies the seamless coexistence of art, architecture and practicality.

Meier’s relationship with Korea is notable, as he also designed the Seamarq Hotel in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, a prime example of white architecture blending tradition with modernity. The Getty Center’s innovative fire protection system further safeguards its invaluable collection. The iconic white travertine exterior is fire-resistant, while outdoor sprinklers linked to an underground water tank provide ample protection.

Pressurization devices in exhibition rooms block smoke infiltration, and fire-resistant landscaping adds another layer of security. These measures help protect priceless artworks, including Van Gogh’s "Irises," Monet’s "Haystack" and works by Rubens. While there are no confirmed Rubens paintings depicting a figure in traditional Korean attire, some scholars speculate that European encounters with Asian envoys or artifacts during the early 17th century may have influenced certain elements in his work.

Cultural exchanges like these illustrate how artistic inspiration transcends geographical boundaries. The Getty Villa and Getty Center house tens of thousands of artworks, spanning ancient artifacts to modern masterpieces. Their resilience in the face of natural disasters underscores the importance of preserving cultural heritage for future generations.

Getty’s devotion to the arts evokes comparisons to the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, whose family donated his multibillion-dollar art collection to the National Museums of Korea in 2021. Though their cultural backgrounds differ, both figures recognized the enduring power of art to inspire and educate. Their legacies demonstrate that immense wealth, when directed toward the preservation and sharing of artistic heritage, can enrich humanity for generations to come.

Choe Chong-dae ([email protected]) is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International Co.

, and founding director of the Korean-Swedish Association..