Pioneers of the Global Art Market: Paris-Based Dealer Networks, 1850-1950

Pioneers of the Global Art Market explores the international network of dealers in Paris during the early 20th century, who relied on a growing pool of discerning collectors in northern and eastern Europe, the UK, and the USA to tap into a growing pool of discerning collectors in northern and eastern Europe, the UK, and the USA. It fills a significant gap in the expanding field of art market studies by addressing how contemporary art made its way into collections and celebrates the modern art dealer as a transnational impresario.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 19 May 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

By the turn of the 20th century, Paris had established itself as the epicenter of the art world. While it is commonly believed that Paris was the hub of art production and trade, this book delves into a lesser-known aspect of the art market: the reliance of Paris-based dealers on an extensive international network of peers. Many of the city's galleries capitalized on the interest of foreign collectors by expanding globally and proactively cultivating transnational alliances. While Paris attracted artists from across the globe, including Cassatt and Picasso, the contemporary art market was truly international in scope. Art dealers strategically tapped into a growing pool of discerning collectors in northern and eastern Europe, the UK, and the USA. The devastating effects of wars, revolutions, currency devaluation, and market crashes, which stalled collecting in Europe, made international trade not only desirable but necessary. Pioneers of the Global Art Market presents original scholarship based on a thorough examination of and fresh perspective on extant dealer records. It caters to the growing curiosity surrounding the emergence and functioning of our unprecedented contemporary-centric and global art market. This anthology fills a significant gap in the expanding field of art market studies by exploring how contemporary art, now recognized as historical modernism, gained entry into collections: who validated what by promoting and selling it, where, and how. It includes unpublished material, concrete examples, bibliographical and archival references, and appeals to students, academics, curators, educators, dealers, collectors, artists, and art lovers alike. It celebrates the modern art dealer as a transnational impresario, the global reach of the modern-art market, and the pivotal role played by Paris in shaping this dynamic industry.

Weight: 702g
Dimension: 233 x 155 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350282841