Hearst Castle in California houses a vast collection of art acquired by early 20th century media mogul William Randolph Hearst. Photo provided.

By Darla McCammon
and DeeAnna Muraski
Guest Columnists

Darla McCammon and DeeAnna Muraski

WARSAW — Last week took us “on the road” to the beautiful Biltmore Estate snuggled on secluded grounds down south between the breathtaking Great Smoky Mountains and Pisgah National Forest, where the Vanderbilts were fascinating patrons of the arts. But they were equaled by this week’s featured patron, William Randolph Hearst.

Hearst’s art collection is as varied and interesting as the man himself. Like George Vanderbilt II and his wife, Edith, Hearst also loved tapestries, sculpture and high art. Hearst traveled extensively abroad, but most of his collections came from auction sales in the states. Biltmore Estate (1895) and Hearst Castle (1947) are unique because the concept of an “art museum” was not normal when they were started.

Hearst Castle’s construction project lasted 28 years, was 81,600 square feet spread over five houses and situated on 250 acres located 1,600 feet above sea level with 360-degree views of the ocean.

Hearst loved the vitality of continuing to work and perfect his grand masterpiece. He chose a female architect, Julia Morgan, to oversee details of the building, of which 10,000 architectural renderings remain and 4,000 letters of correspondence. She was the first female architect of prominence and the first to study at the esteemed Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

Hearst affectionately called his “country home” La Cuesta Encantada, Spanish for “Enchanted Hill.” Hearst Castle is located off the historic Pacific Coast Highway 1 in central California. At the bottom of the hill, toward the ocean, reside hundreds of sea lions sunbathing on the sand. The castle is sandwiched between San Francisco to the north and Los Angeles to the south. Hundreds of acres of untouched forests, mountains and undeveloped land stretch out between.

Hearst’s vast fortune, initially secured by his father, George Hearst, included investment in silver mining, gold and copper. This brought Hearst his enduring fortune, which allowed indiscriminate procurement of art.

William Hearst continued to build the family’s fortune through magazine publications and the newspaper. Hearst’s 40,000 newspaper employees nicknamed him the “Chief.” On his 40th birthday he married a 21-year-old New York stage dancer, Millicent Willson, and they had five sons. However, his affections were short-lived. While never divorcing, he had a lifelong, ongoing affair with his mistress, movie star Marion Davies, who was 34 years younger than Hearst.

Hearst shipped most of his art finds from New York via railroad cars, which were full of his treasures, and then temporarily placed them in storage. America had not embraced a style of layering artistic finds within the home (Spanish, Greek, etc.), which was a European endeavor. However, Hearst, without much art background, embraced the idea, and the installation created a beautiful harmony of a variety of designs. Hearst allowed his personal taste, instead of famous names, to dictate his choice of art, which created many surprises. One of those surprises is in the sitting room ceiling and is titled “Annunciation to the Shepherds,” depicting the virtues painted on wood with gesso and tempera by an unknown Netherland artist painted in the 17th century. His artwork was as eclectic as the guests who got invitations to stay: musicians, movie stars, politicians and athletes (Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, Harpo Marx).

The house is so opulent and grand that you can remain in a single room for hours and still not behold all the details. Hearst’s passion for art was born through his first trip abroad, when he was only 10, which lasted 18 months. Later in life, while attending Harvard, Hearst penned a friend admitting that he had “art fever terribly.” Thankfully, he never received an antidote. Every carpet, drapery, tapestry and lamp has a unique acquisition story and reason for the honor of being displayed. The library contains ancient Greek vases unrivaled in the 20th century as well as 4,000 “reading copies” of books, as he wanted them read and handled regularly.

In 1972, after the deaths of architect Morgan (1957), Hearst (1951) and paramour Marion Davies (1961), the house was donated to the State of California’s Department of Parks and Recreation for the study and enjoyment of future generations.

“Annunciation of the Shepherds,” with a series of surrounding panels by an unknown artist, can be seen at Hearst Castle. Photo provided.

Darla McCammon is an artist, columnist and author. DeeAnna Muraski is executive director of Operation Read USA Inc. Send an email to the mother/daughter team at [email protected].