Artists' Things

This insightful book, Artists' Things, uncovers the personal belongings of renowned artists, revealing their lives and the art world of eighteenth-century France.

In Artists' Things, the authors explore a unique perspective on the lives of renowned artists from the eighteenth-century French art scene. By examining objects that once belonged to figures like Jean-Antoine Watteau, Francois Boucher, Jean-Baptiste Greuze, and Elisabeth Vigee-LeBrun, the book sheds light on the intricate fabric of the art world during this period. These items, ranging from the curious to the mundane, reveal unexpected insights into the personalities and daily lives of these artists, challenging the disembodied view often taken in art history.

The narrative highlights how these everyday objects, whether still in existence or only remembered through paintings and documents, provide a tangible connection to the artists themselves. For instance, Jean-Honore Fragonard's color box and Jacques-Louis David's table are discussed alongside items like Francois Lemoyne's sword, which is tied to a tragic event. Each object serves as a portal into the past, illustrating the intersection of art, production, and personal history.

Ultimately, Artists' Things encourages readers to reconsider the significance of material culture in understanding not just the artists' work, but their lives and relationships within a vibrant artistic community. Through this lens, the authors engage with broader historical debates about consumption and sociability, making a compelling case for the importance of these often-overlooked artifacts in art history.