Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America

Balch, Allan C print view role Collector Patron dates 1864-1943 city Los Angeles state CA other cities Valley Falls, NY; Ithaca, NY; Seattle, WA; sex M historical notes Allan Christopher Balch was a prominent figure in the development and management of electric power in the early 20th century West. Born in Valley Falls, New York, Balch graduated from Cornell University in 1889 with degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering. His career in the electric business began in Seattle, where he served as the general manager of the Union Electric Company. He became a key player in the founding of what would eventually become PG&E and Southern California Edison. He was known for installing the first long-distance electric power line in Los Angeles, and played a crucial role in introducing natural gas to the city in 1913. In addition to his achievements in the electric industry, Balch was a notable art collector and patron. His wife, Janet, initiated their art collection in the early 1900s with purchases of works by artists such as Haden, Messonier, Pennell, Millet, Monticelli, and Fantin-Latour. Balch joined the art collecting endeavors in 1923, focusing on Northern European paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries, including works by Hans Holbein, Pieter de Hoogh, the Master of St. Ursula Legend, and Alber Bouts. The Balch art collection encompassed a diverse range of mediums, including etchings, watercolors, and oil paintings by artists like Blakelock, De Camp, Fortuny, Whistler, and more. Their “Catholic taste” in art showcased a broad appreciation for various styles and periods. The Balches’ philanthropic efforts extended beyond the electric industry, making them founding donors to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Allan and Janet generously contributed both time and money to cultural and academic institutions, including LACMA, the California Institute of Technology, Scripps College, and Cornell University. Allan Balch's commitment to the arts led to his appointment as the Chairman of the Museum Associates at LACMA in 1938, where he advised the museum's director until his death in 1943. The Balches bequeathed their entire art collection and one-eighth of their estate to LACMA, leaving an enduring legacy in the cultural landscape of Los Angeles. decades of activity 1920-1930 1930-1940 1940-1950 updated 03/22/2024 12:09:32 bibliographic search Search Frick Art Reference Library Catalog Search Photoarchive Search Worldcat Search Library of Congress Name Authority File (LCNAF) Search Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) Archives/Repository Collection Title Collection Details «  back