New York Market for French Art in the Gilded Age 1867-1893

<p>This transatlantic study analyses a missing chapter in the history of art collecting the first art market bubble in the United States. In the decades following the Civil War French art monopolized art collections across the United States. During this Gilded Age picture rush the commercial art system-art dealers galleries auction houses exhibitions museums art journals press coverage art histories and collection catalogues-established a strong foothold it has not relinquished to this day. In addition a pervasive concern for improving aesthetics and providing the best contemporary art to educate the masses led to the formation not only of private art collections but also of institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and to the publication of art histories. <p/>Richly informed by collectors' and art dealers' diaries letters stock books journals and hitherto neglected art histories <i>The New York Market for French Art in the Gilded Age 1867-1893 </i>offers a fresh perspective on this trailblazing era.</p>