Medieval and Renaissance art in nineteenth-century Paris
Aurélie Letellier
The 1800s formed a decisive period in the history of collecting, museums, and revival all things medieval Renaissance. In late nineteenth-century Paris, these three phenomena were closely related, with passionate collectors, dealers or connoisseurs playing pivotal role. This paper considers Parisian art amateurs, who amassed significant holdings Renaissance art, including furniture, maiolica, arms armour, sculptures tapestries; it examines specific attraction exerted by this material, as well outcomes, foremost among them being creation impressive collections displayed both private homes newly founded museums. Such displays reveal desire to surround spectator antiques, thereby creating an atmosphere reminiscent Middle Ages Renaissance, at time when anything Gothic was à la mode .
Journal of The History of Collections