Occupation Singer Name Maxim Karolik | Known for Art collecting | |
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Born November 21, 1893 Akkerman, Bessarabia, Russian Empire Died December 20, 1963, New York City, New York, United States | ||
Maxim Karolik (November 21, 1893 – December 20, 1963) was an opera singer by profession who was notable as an art collector and donor. Although generally unsuccessful as a singer, he married into one of Boston, Massachusetts's wealthiest families.
Biography
He was born on November 21, 1893 in Akkerman. On February 2, 1928, he married Martha Catharine Codman (1858–1948). He made a hobby of collecting early American antiques and art. He died on December 20, 1963.
Karolik was guided in his purchases by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to which he later donated his collection. He was largely responsible for spurring interest in early 19th-century American art. In addition, Karolik purchased, for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, one well-known American textile, the Pictorial Quilt 1898 stitched by Harriet Powers (MFA accession no. 64.619).
Karolik recorded Russian Art Songs, thirty songs collected in a three-album set from Unicorn Records in Boston. A 48-page book that came with the album set included an introductory essay by Nicholas Slonimsky titled "Russian Music in Art Songs."