Economy

Ornamental Hermits Still Exist—Kind Of

Having a live-in hermit was all the rage in 18th-century England. In recent years, some have chosen the quiet life for art's sake.
ŠJů/Wikimedia Commons

An eccentric 18th-century trend among England's elite is still alive. Kind of.

In a New York Times feature late last month on Berlin’s most beloved performance artist, Friedrich Liechtenstein (known for an absurd and unforgettable supermarket ad that went viral in February) was fresh off a two-year stint as an ornamental hermit.