Becoming Property: Art, Theory, and Law in Early Modern France

This book explores the relationship between intellectual property and the visual arts in France from the 16th century to the French Revolution, charting the early history of privilege legislation and its translation by and for the image. It examines the consequences of commercially motivated law for art and its definitions and the artists caught up in disputes, and its lessons may still apply in the 21st century with the advent of inexpensive methods of reproduction and dissemination via digital channels.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2018
Publisher: Yale University Press

This captivating and insightful book delves into the intricate relationship between intellectual property and the visual arts in France, spanning from the 16th century to the French Revolution. It charts the early origins of privilege legislation, which encompasses modern copyright and patent laws, and explores the translation of these legal terms into visual language. The author examines the legal implications of these terms within the context of artistic discourse and creative practice during the early modern period. Furthermore, the book sheds light on the profound consequences of commercially driven law on art and its definitions, particularly the eventual separation of art from industry. The story encompasses a wide range of artists, from esteemed Academy officers to the humble hacks of Grub Street, who were embroiled in disputes over intellectual property. These disputes highlight the enduring relevance of the lessons learned from this book, as we navigate the complexities of intellectual property and the visual arts in the 21st century, where inexpensive methods of reproduction, multiplication, and dissemination via digital channels have once again brought these issues to the forefront.

Weight: 1224g
Dimension: 262 x 196 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300222791