Huguette Clark was an heiress and philanthropist who became popular for living in the hospital for 20 years.According to Dedmanand Clark,shesurprised people for making such a decision yet she had mansions that nobody occupied (23).She was married in 1928; however, she divorced a year later. Clark was the youngest daughter of the U.S. senator William Clark. At the point of her death, she left a fortune of more than $ 300 million. Dedman,and Clark posit that most of her wealth was donated to charity organization after a court battle which involved her distant relatives (24). During Clark’s lifetime she had various businesses, such as fashion companies and give house tours. Besides, she owned the Fifth Avenue apartments and other mansions, one in Santa Barbara, Calif and other one in New Canaan, Conn.
In her lifetime, Clark had a ticket for the second voyage of the Titanic and was in NYC during the bombing of the Twin towers. Clark was reported to have an active-even high profile- social life through most of the mid-20th century (Dedman,and Clark 35). She was accused of conspiring with Japanese after WWII. Indeed, this led her to be interrogated by the FBI making her suffer a nervous breakdown. Clark liked Japanese culture and had been an avid collector of Japanese artifacts. Her condition was worsened by his mother’s death in 1963 which sent her into seclusion. Dedman, and Clark, described Clark as a savvy, intelligent and worldly woman (27). She like watching television and even played early video games. Clark had a lot of knowledge about the real world than people gave her credit. She died at the age of 104 having succumb to cancer.
The story about Clark is essential because it demonstrates the cultural literacy that existed during the mid-20th century. Cultural literacy refers to the knowledge of history, contributions, and perspectives of different cultural groups. Based on the life history of Clark one is able tounderstand the cultural artifacts and elements that dominated the 20th century.Her life was characterized bycultural artifacts she loved most. For instance, Japanese dollhouse in his apartment at 907 Fifth Avenue showed the kinds of artworks that existed during her lifetime(Gordon 16). Other cultural artifacts mentioned include the architectural design of her mansion and the kind of clothes she wore. The mansion at Santa Barbara was beautifully designed and it faced the pacific. Indeed, this was one of several American palaces that Clark did not enjoy in her entire lifetime. Indeed, the rooms were decorated with different kind of dolls and spending furniture. According to Cohen, Clark was fond of collecting dolls, dollhouses, and miniature furniture in order to decorate her rooms. She was able to get these artifacts through winning auctions and then instructed the caretaker to organize and display them in a pristine and orderly fashion in her palatial rooms and suite (Gordon, 25).
Clark biography also indicates critical historical events that occurred in the mid-20th and 21st century. In detail,these include the WWII and 9/11 bombing in the United States. Indeed, these are key events that shaped the lives and believes of the American people. For instance,after the WW11 America was faced with the task of rebuilding Japan and seeking peace with its international foes. The 9/11 also showed how the American relation and the Islamic states were fragile. Indeed, through Clark’s life story, individuals can understand the cultural interaction between the United States and other nations across the world. Besides, her life shade light on how the American life was viewed by other cultures.
Music forms a valuable cultural artifact as portrayed by Clark. Music emerges as a fundamental characteristic she exhibited. According to Harris, Clark was a lifelong musician, artist and avid collector of both music and art. As such,she had Degas painting that was stolen after she was hospitalized. Clark also owned a rare 1709 violin made by Antonine Stradivari and an 1882 Pierre-Auguste Renoir painting. Notably, most of these arts were sold during her years in the hospital. According to Harris, Clark had a master bedroom which contained at art studio. Stairs leading to studio had spindle holding up banisters. These spindles were carved thus looking a like paint brush. Other fascinating photos portrayed in her Empty Mansions include a 1933 Chrysler royal convertible and a 1933 Cadillac V-16 seven-passenger limousines. The car designs were clear indication of them mode of transport used during the mid-20th
century.
Inclusion, Clark’s life provides vital lessons about the cultural literacy. Most of the of artwork mentioned indicate the kind of life that existed in the United States in the mid-20 century. She collected Japanese photos and paintings which showed her love for artwork. Huguette Clark’s life demonstrated the best cultural artifacts and experience she had as a young woman. Despite coming from a wealthy family, she suffered a great deal because of cancer which eventually led to her death. Indeed, this made her live in the hospital for 20 years living her mansions with no one to occupy. Clark’s life experience shows the cultural interrelation that existed in the United States. Above all, Clark’s life shows how the American’s related to other nations across the world, such as the Japanese.
Works Cited
COHEN, MICHELLE. The ‘empty mansions’ of Huguette Clark: Luxury and mystery of an era past. 19 September 2016. 10 May 2018. .
Dedman, Bill, and Clark, Paul. Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune. Ballantine Books, 2014.
Gordon, Meryl. The Phantom of Fifth Avenue:The Mysterious Life and Scandalous Death of Heiress Huguette Clark. Grand Central Publishing, 2014.
Harris, Elizabeth. "Unraveling Some Mystery Surrounding the Homes of a Reclusive Heiress." The New York Times (2012). 10 May 2018. .
