Artists' Things: Rediscovering Lost Property from Eighteenth-Century France

This book explores the everyday items owned by artists in 18th-century France, providing insights into the art world and the individuals who populated it. Objects range from curious to mundane, useful to symbolic, and some exist only in paintings or documents. The authors engage with historical debates about production, consumption, and sociability through the lens of material goods.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 374 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2024
Publisher: Getty Trust Publications

Artists, the creators of things, often go unnoticed for the everyday items they possess. This innovative book delves into the world of objects that once belonged to renowned artists, shedding light on the fabric of the eighteenth-century art world in France and offering unique insights into the individuals who inhabited it. From the curious to the mundane, these items have been overlooked in historical narratives, but they hold a rich tapestry of stories. Some of these objects still exist, such as Jean-Honore Fragonard's color box and Jacques-Louis David's table, while others are preserved only in paintings, such as Jean-Simeon Chardin's cistern in his Copper Drinking Fountain or in documents, like Francois Lemoyne's sword, the instrument of his tragic suicide. Unfortunately, several items were lost, including the pencil case of pastelist Jean-Baptiste Perronneau.

Through the lens of these material goods, the authors engage in fundamental historical debates about production, consumption, and sociability. They explore how artists' possessions reflect their artistic practices, social networks, and cultural values. The book also sheds light on the materiality of art and the ways in which it shapes artistic expression and perception. By examining the objects owned by artists, this book offers a fresh perspective on the art world and its inhabitants, challenging our assumptions and revealing the complex relationships between art, society, and the individual.

Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781606068632