Full Description
At the beginning of the eighteenth century, a generation of collectors in France and the Holy Roman Empire developed new principles for the display of paintings, principles based on comparison triggered by the mixture of schools and periods; its aim was to encourage analysis and connoisseurship through comparison and conversation. The ground-breaking theories of Roger de Piles were central to this novel approach, and essential to its understanding. These principles were predominant until the 1780s. This book examines case studies in France, the German Empire and the UK that exemplify these new principles.
Contents
Acknowledgements IX
List of Figures
Introduction
1 Social Spaces: Displaying and Discussing Paintings in Eighteenth-Century European Collections
2 A New Theoretical Framework
3 The Vanishing Role of Iconography
4 Setting the Stage: Vienna and Versailles at the Beginning of the Eighteenth Century
Part 1: Pioneers of the New Principles
Introduction to Part 1
1 Lothar Franz Graf Schönborn at Pommersfelden, Schloss Weißenstein
2 Eugen Prince of Savoy at Vienna, Upper Belvedere
3 Philippe II, Duc d'Orléans at Paris, Palais Royal
4 Pierre Crozat at Paris, rue de Richelieu
Part 2: New Approaches by Private Collectors
Introduction to Part 2
5 Jeanne-Baptiste d'Albert, Comtesse de Verrue at Paris, rue du Cherche-Midi
6 Jean de Jullienne at Paris, rue des Gobelins
7 François Berger at Paris, rue Saint-Marc
Acknowledgments
8 Etienne-François, Duc de Choiseul at Paris, rue de Richelieu
Part 3: Rulers and Institutions
Introduction to Part 3
9 Elector Friedrich August II of Saxony / August III King of Poland at Dresden, Stallhof
10 The Electors Palatine at Düsseldorf, Schloss, and at Mannheim, Schloss
11 The French Royal Collection at Paris, Palais du Luxembourg
12 The Académie Royal de Peinture et de Sculpture at the Salon, Paris, Palais du Louvre
13 Abel-François Poisson de Vandières, Marquis de Marigny et de Menars at Paris, rue Saint-Thomas-du-Louvre
14 Friedrich II King of Prussia at Potsdam, Schloss Sanssouci and Bildergalerie
Part 4: The British Contribution
Introduction to Part 4
15 Sir Robert Walpole at Houghton Hall
16 Thomas Coke, Earl of Leicester at Holkham Hall
17 John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute at Luton Hoo
Part 5: On the Verge of the Museum Age
Introduction to Part 5
18 The Imperial Collection at Vienna, Upper Belvedere
Conclusion: Principles of Eighteenth-Century Paintings Displays
Bibliography
Index