Francois Boucher and the Art of Collecting in Eighteenth-Century France

This book explores the extensive collection of 13,500 objects owned by artist François Boucher, including paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, porcelain, shells, minerals, and other imported curios. It discusses the types of objects he collected, the networks through which he acquired them, and their display in his custom-designed studio at the Louvre. It sheds new light on the relationship between Boucher's artistic and collecting practices and their impact on his art, studio, friendships, and the market for luxury goods in mid-eighteenth-century France.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

While previous studies have primarily focused on the artistic style and identity of artist François Boucher, this comprehensive volume presents the first in-depth interdisciplinary exploration of Boucher's vast and diverse collection of approximately 13,500 objects, encompassing paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, porcelain, shells, minerals, and other imported curios. It delves into the various types of objects he collected, the networks through which he acquired them, and the spectacular display of these treasures in his custom-designed studio at the Louvre, where he resided and worked for nearly two decades. This book explores the profound impact of Boucher's collection on the development of his art, his studio, his friendships, and the burgeoning market for luxury goods in mid-eighteenth-century France. By examining the intricate relationship between Boucher's artistic and collecting practices, which garnered both praise and criticism from contemporaries, the book sheds new light on the intricate interplay between art, commerce, and cultural patronage in this pivotal period. Appealing to scholars engaged in art history, museum studies, and French history, this volume offers a rich and multifaceted perspective on the life and work of François Boucher, one of the most celebrated artists of his time.

Weight: 606g
Dimension: 174 x 246 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032124780