Let's say you're a rich man in 1800. You own a house in town and have an estate in the country. Maybe you own manufacturies or mills. You buy expensive clothes and horses and carriages. You shower jewels upon your womenfolk. But at the end of the day, you still have more money than you know what to do with.
You could gamble, of course. Many men and women managed to subdue a rising fortune by gambling it away.
But let's say you had no taste for throwing money away on the green baize table. Let's say you go … collecting. Collecting art, in particular. Where? How? What? Inquiring minds want to know.
In the mid Eighteenth Century there was the 'Grand Tour' of course. A fashionable quest for sophistication had long sent rich young Englishmen off to the Continent to buy Old Masters and Etruscan pots and a good many well-made fakes. They carted them home to decorate the Old Manse.
The art auction achieved its modern form around this time. Rather than the older practice of offering a collection of artworks for sale, each with its proposed price —. this really sounds like a tag sale, doesn't it? — the collection was open for view, and then on the day of sale the auctioneer offered successive artworks and invited bids. Auction madness was born. Much more satisfying, really.
By the end of the Eighteenth Century London housed some of the major auction houses we know today, like Christie's, Phillips, and Sotheby's, as well as others now vanished like Skinner and Dyke, Langford, (with auction rooms at Covent garden,) and Bryant.
Here, to the right, is a portrait, by Gainsborough, of James Christie in 1788, rich in years and honors after two decades and more in the auction business. Sotheby's Auction House is slightly older, but spent the Regency specializing in "scarce and valuable" books rather than paintings. For instance, the library Napoleon carried with him into exile was sold through Sotheby's after his death. Phillips Auction House is solidly Regency, founded in 1796 by the senior clerk at Christie's. I'm sure there is a story behind that.
By the time the Grand Tour was made inconvenient by those troublesome sans culottes in France, the art valuables of France and later the Continent were making their own way to England, fleeing the French Revolution and the ensuing Napoleonic Wars. 
Here's what the
notice of an impending auction looked like. It's the upcoming sale of drawings belonging to the "Count de Carriere", (count of the stone pit or quarry,) probably the nom d'exile of Etienne Bourgevin Vialart, comte de Saint-Morys.
And here is a typical painting that fled France on the wings of Revolution. Ter Borch's The Music Lesson. It was sold by its French owner through the auction house of Skinner and Dyke in London in 1795. Two centuries later, we find it in California where the weather is better, but it's far, far away from the Netherlands where it was painted.
Our Regency auction would have looked a little like this. The examination of the paintings before the sale is up above. Then the auction itself, below.Click on the picture for a closer look. Notice how many women there are among the bidders, but the main action next to the picture for sale is men.
Fascinating how little these auctions have changed.
Were there also galleries where contemporary art was sold or did you go straight to the artist?
Fascinating how little these auctions have changed.
Were there also galleries where contemporary art was sold or did you go straight to the artist?
Fascinating how little these auctions have changed.
Were there also galleries where contemporary art was sold or did you go straight to the artist?
Fascinating how little these auctions have changed.
Were there also galleries where contemporary art was sold or did you go straight to the artist?
Fascinating how little these auctions have changed.
Were there also galleries where contemporary art was sold or did you go straight to the artist?
A fascinating look at how the past can match today as well as how they differ.
We have Art in the Park in June in Columbia, Missouri. No auction. Just booths where fine artists and practical artists can show their wares. In the fine art booths you find original works for sale and/or prints for sale.My husband and I seldom buy there but we go to look and learn
1
A fascinating look at how the past can match today as well as how they differ.
We have Art in the Park in June in Columbia, Missouri. No auction. Just booths where fine artists and practical artists can show their wares. In the fine art booths you find original works for sale and/or prints for sale.My husband and I seldom buy there but we go to look and learn
1
A fascinating look at how the past can match today as well as how they differ.
We have Art in the Park in June in Columbia, Missouri. No auction. Just booths where fine artists and practical artists can show their wares. In the fine art booths you find original works for sale and/or prints for sale.My husband and I seldom buy there but we go to look and learn
1
A fascinating look at how the past can match today as well as how they differ.
We have Art in the Park in June in Columbia, Missouri. No auction. Just booths where fine artists and practical artists can show their wares. In the fine art booths you find original works for sale and/or prints for sale.My husband and I seldom buy there but we go to look and learn
1
A fascinating look at how the past can match today as well as how they differ.
We have Art in the Park in June in Columbia, Missouri. No auction. Just booths where fine artists and practical artists can show their wares. In the fine art booths you find original works for sale and/or prints for sale.My husband and I seldom buy there but we go to look and learn
1
They certainly had shops that sold art. These would often be print shops since prints would be far cheaper than paintings.
Print shop windows might display new and scandalous works. they’re shown in contemporary pictures with everyone gathered round.
A windy day outside Bowle’s Print Shop:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d6/19/36/d61936964f57e19310cc03d9d8a5c382.jpg
The Print Shop Window
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c9/5f/af/c95fafbbf3d84ddc7f3075019ac0c4cc.jpg
And here we see Ackermann’s which sold prints, art supplies, and — see on the walls? — paintings.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/67/4a/13/674a138001930726b8b603d9e45bd3ca.jpg
The best paintings of the day were hung in exhibitions. This is the 1800 Royal Academy.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/The_Exhibition_Room_at_Somerset_House_by_Thomas_Rowlandson_and_Augustus_Pugin._1800..jpg
I imagine paintings changed hands from artist to patron at such exhibitions the same way they do at Gallery shows today.
They certainly had shops that sold art. These would often be print shops since prints would be far cheaper than paintings.
Print shop windows might display new and scandalous works. they’re shown in contemporary pictures with everyone gathered round.
A windy day outside Bowle’s Print Shop:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d6/19/36/d61936964f57e19310cc03d9d8a5c382.jpg
The Print Shop Window
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c9/5f/af/c95fafbbf3d84ddc7f3075019ac0c4cc.jpg
And here we see Ackermann’s which sold prints, art supplies, and — see on the walls? — paintings.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/67/4a/13/674a138001930726b8b603d9e45bd3ca.jpg
The best paintings of the day were hung in exhibitions. This is the 1800 Royal Academy.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/The_Exhibition_Room_at_Somerset_House_by_Thomas_Rowlandson_and_Augustus_Pugin._1800..jpg
I imagine paintings changed hands from artist to patron at such exhibitions the same way they do at Gallery shows today.
They certainly had shops that sold art. These would often be print shops since prints would be far cheaper than paintings.
Print shop windows might display new and scandalous works. they’re shown in contemporary pictures with everyone gathered round.
A windy day outside Bowle’s Print Shop:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d6/19/36/d61936964f57e19310cc03d9d8a5c382.jpg
The Print Shop Window
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c9/5f/af/c95fafbbf3d84ddc7f3075019ac0c4cc.jpg
And here we see Ackermann’s which sold prints, art supplies, and — see on the walls? — paintings.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/67/4a/13/674a138001930726b8b603d9e45bd3ca.jpg
The best paintings of the day were hung in exhibitions. This is the 1800 Royal Academy.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/The_Exhibition_Room_at_Somerset_House_by_Thomas_Rowlandson_and_Augustus_Pugin._1800..jpg
I imagine paintings changed hands from artist to patron at such exhibitions the same way they do at Gallery shows today.
They certainly had shops that sold art. These would often be print shops since prints would be far cheaper than paintings.
Print shop windows might display new and scandalous works. they’re shown in contemporary pictures with everyone gathered round.
A windy day outside Bowle’s Print Shop:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d6/19/36/d61936964f57e19310cc03d9d8a5c382.jpg
The Print Shop Window
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c9/5f/af/c95fafbbf3d84ddc7f3075019ac0c4cc.jpg
And here we see Ackermann’s which sold prints, art supplies, and — see on the walls? — paintings.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/67/4a/13/674a138001930726b8b603d9e45bd3ca.jpg
The best paintings of the day were hung in exhibitions. This is the 1800 Royal Academy.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/The_Exhibition_Room_at_Somerset_House_by_Thomas_Rowlandson_and_Augustus_Pugin._1800..jpg
I imagine paintings changed hands from artist to patron at such exhibitions the same way they do at Gallery shows today.
They certainly had shops that sold art. These would often be print shops since prints would be far cheaper than paintings.
Print shop windows might display new and scandalous works. they’re shown in contemporary pictures with everyone gathered round.
A windy day outside Bowle’s Print Shop:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d6/19/36/d61936964f57e19310cc03d9d8a5c382.jpg
The Print Shop Window
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c9/5f/af/c95fafbbf3d84ddc7f3075019ac0c4cc.jpg
And here we see Ackermann’s which sold prints, art supplies, and — see on the walls? — paintings.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/67/4a/13/674a138001930726b8b603d9e45bd3ca.jpg
The best paintings of the day were hung in exhibitions. This is the 1800 Royal Academy.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/The_Exhibition_Room_at_Somerset_House_by_Thomas_Rowlandson_and_Augustus_Pugin._1800..jpg
I imagine paintings changed hands from artist to patron at such exhibitions the same way they do at Gallery shows today.
Even my little town here in the hills has a once-yearly juried craft show. There’s something quite wonderful about buying work right from the artist or craftsperson.
I seldom get away without buy at least a coffee mug. I am a sucker for pottery.
And in terms of learning. am with you and your husband on this. We learn so much from artists.
Even my little town here in the hills has a once-yearly juried craft show. There’s something quite wonderful about buying work right from the artist or craftsperson.
I seldom get away without buy at least a coffee mug. I am a sucker for pottery.
And in terms of learning. am with you and your husband on this. We learn so much from artists.
Even my little town here in the hills has a once-yearly juried craft show. There’s something quite wonderful about buying work right from the artist or craftsperson.
I seldom get away without buy at least a coffee mug. I am a sucker for pottery.
And in terms of learning. am with you and your husband on this. We learn so much from artists.
Even my little town here in the hills has a once-yearly juried craft show. There’s something quite wonderful about buying work right from the artist or craftsperson.
I seldom get away without buy at least a coffee mug. I am a sucker for pottery.
And in terms of learning. am with you and your husband on this. We learn so much from artists.
Even my little town here in the hills has a once-yearly juried craft show. There’s something quite wonderful about buying work right from the artist or craftsperson.
I seldom get away without buy at least a coffee mug. I am a sucker for pottery.
And in terms of learning. am with you and your husband on this. We learn so much from artists.
Auctions are so much more exciting that other methods of buying!
By the way, love the new website look!
Auctions are so much more exciting that other methods of buying!
By the way, love the new website look!
Auctions are so much more exciting that other methods of buying!
By the way, love the new website look!
Auctions are so much more exciting that other methods of buying!
By the way, love the new website look!
Auctions are so much more exciting that other methods of buying!
By the way, love the new website look!
Print sellers and the Royal Academy, yes. But I wondered if there were people like Joseph Duveen handling business for artists, or were artists pretty much dependent on the approval of the Royal Academy so patrons would come directly to them?
I suppose artist could also sell their work by displaying it in places like frame shops or stores that sold artists’ supplies, also like today.
Print sellers and the Royal Academy, yes. But I wondered if there were people like Joseph Duveen handling business for artists, or were artists pretty much dependent on the approval of the Royal Academy so patrons would come directly to them?
I suppose artist could also sell their work by displaying it in places like frame shops or stores that sold artists’ supplies, also like today.
Print sellers and the Royal Academy, yes. But I wondered if there were people like Joseph Duveen handling business for artists, or were artists pretty much dependent on the approval of the Royal Academy so patrons would come directly to them?
I suppose artist could also sell their work by displaying it in places like frame shops or stores that sold artists’ supplies, also like today.
Print sellers and the Royal Academy, yes. But I wondered if there were people like Joseph Duveen handling business for artists, or were artists pretty much dependent on the approval of the Royal Academy so patrons would come directly to them?
I suppose artist could also sell their work by displaying it in places like frame shops or stores that sold artists’ supplies, also like today.
Print sellers and the Royal Academy, yes. But I wondered if there were people like Joseph Duveen handling business for artists, or were artists pretty much dependent on the approval of the Royal Academy so patrons would come directly to them?
I suppose artist could also sell their work by displaying it in places like frame shops or stores that sold artists’ supplies, also like today.
If I had the money and the room I would have a house full of Turners, Landseers, Van Goghs, and Rembrandts. Love beautiful art. The skill to capture a moment in time with the stroke of a brush is mesmerizing.
If I had the money and the room I would have a house full of Turners, Landseers, Van Goghs, and Rembrandts. Love beautiful art. The skill to capture a moment in time with the stroke of a brush is mesmerizing.
If I had the money and the room I would have a house full of Turners, Landseers, Van Goghs, and Rembrandts. Love beautiful art. The skill to capture a moment in time with the stroke of a brush is mesmerizing.
If I had the money and the room I would have a house full of Turners, Landseers, Van Goghs, and Rembrandts. Love beautiful art. The skill to capture a moment in time with the stroke of a brush is mesmerizing.
If I had the money and the room I would have a house full of Turners, Landseers, Van Goghs, and Rembrandts. Love beautiful art. The skill to capture a moment in time with the stroke of a brush is mesmerizing.
And there’s something very special about owning a work that’s original, not mass produced. It’s sort of a magic that stays in the the canvas and paint because the artist laid it down.
I like to think I help the artist earn a living when I buy original art … though I guess I help living artists who have their art mass produced when I buy that.
And there’s something very special about owning a work that’s original, not mass produced. It’s sort of a magic that stays in the the canvas and paint because the artist laid it down.
I like to think I help the artist earn a living when I buy original art … though I guess I help living artists who have their art mass produced when I buy that.
And there’s something very special about owning a work that’s original, not mass produced. It’s sort of a magic that stays in the the canvas and paint because the artist laid it down.
I like to think I help the artist earn a living when I buy original art … though I guess I help living artists who have their art mass produced when I buy that.
And there’s something very special about owning a work that’s original, not mass produced. It’s sort of a magic that stays in the the canvas and paint because the artist laid it down.
I like to think I help the artist earn a living when I buy original art … though I guess I help living artists who have their art mass produced when I buy that.
And there’s something very special about owning a work that’s original, not mass produced. It’s sort of a magic that stays in the the canvas and paint because the artist laid it down.
I like to think I help the artist earn a living when I buy original art … though I guess I help living artists who have their art mass produced when I buy that.
I love auctions so much I want to just buy stuff for the fun of it.
Everybody should collect something so they can go to auctions and look for it.
The ‘new look’ is great, isn’t it? I had about nothing to do with making it so I can just stand back and admire.
I love auctions so much I want to just buy stuff for the fun of it.
Everybody should collect something so they can go to auctions and look for it.
The ‘new look’ is great, isn’t it? I had about nothing to do with making it so I can just stand back and admire.
I love auctions so much I want to just buy stuff for the fun of it.
Everybody should collect something so they can go to auctions and look for it.
The ‘new look’ is great, isn’t it? I had about nothing to do with making it so I can just stand back and admire.
I love auctions so much I want to just buy stuff for the fun of it.
Everybody should collect something so they can go to auctions and look for it.
The ‘new look’ is great, isn’t it? I had about nothing to do with making it so I can just stand back and admire.
I love auctions so much I want to just buy stuff for the fun of it.
Everybody should collect something so they can go to auctions and look for it.
The ‘new look’ is great, isn’t it? I had about nothing to do with making it so I can just stand back and admire.
Now the idea of ‘artist’s agents’ or entrepreneurs in art in Regency times is an intriguing one. I haven’t come across examples of this — but it is so very much not my field of expertise, I wouldn’t necessarily have seen it.
The Farington Diary by Joseph Farington, RA, is available in print. I have a copy but have done no more than leaf through it since I’ve never written about a circle of artists. Farington knew a lot of artists and might talk about the business of selling art. I dunnoh.
Now the idea of ‘artist’s agents’ or entrepreneurs in art in Regency times is an intriguing one. I haven’t come across examples of this — but it is so very much not my field of expertise, I wouldn’t necessarily have seen it.
The Farington Diary by Joseph Farington, RA, is available in print. I have a copy but have done no more than leaf through it since I’ve never written about a circle of artists. Farington knew a lot of artists and might talk about the business of selling art. I dunnoh.
Now the idea of ‘artist’s agents’ or entrepreneurs in art in Regency times is an intriguing one. I haven’t come across examples of this — but it is so very much not my field of expertise, I wouldn’t necessarily have seen it.
The Farington Diary by Joseph Farington, RA, is available in print. I have a copy but have done no more than leaf through it since I’ve never written about a circle of artists. Farington knew a lot of artists and might talk about the business of selling art. I dunnoh.
Now the idea of ‘artist’s agents’ or entrepreneurs in art in Regency times is an intriguing one. I haven’t come across examples of this — but it is so very much not my field of expertise, I wouldn’t necessarily have seen it.
The Farington Diary by Joseph Farington, RA, is available in print. I have a copy but have done no more than leaf through it since I’ve never written about a circle of artists. Farington knew a lot of artists and might talk about the business of selling art. I dunnoh.
Now the idea of ‘artist’s agents’ or entrepreneurs in art in Regency times is an intriguing one. I haven’t come across examples of this — but it is so very much not my field of expertise, I wouldn’t necessarily have seen it.
The Farington Diary by Joseph Farington, RA, is available in print. I have a copy but have done no more than leaf through it since I’ve never written about a circle of artists. Farington knew a lot of artists and might talk about the business of selling art. I dunnoh.
My place is pretty small, so I hang only one picture, mostly.
One thing an old friend taught me was, you don’t have to hang all the art all the time.
She’d put up a strong nail and change her artwork every couple months. Kept the collection carefully in a box in the bottom of the closet.
My place is pretty small, so I hang only one picture, mostly.
One thing an old friend taught me was, you don’t have to hang all the art all the time.
She’d put up a strong nail and change her artwork every couple months. Kept the collection carefully in a box in the bottom of the closet.
My place is pretty small, so I hang only one picture, mostly.
One thing an old friend taught me was, you don’t have to hang all the art all the time.
She’d put up a strong nail and change her artwork every couple months. Kept the collection carefully in a box in the bottom of the closet.
My place is pretty small, so I hang only one picture, mostly.
One thing an old friend taught me was, you don’t have to hang all the art all the time.
She’d put up a strong nail and change her artwork every couple months. Kept the collection carefully in a box in the bottom of the closet.
My place is pretty small, so I hang only one picture, mostly.
One thing an old friend taught me was, you don’t have to hang all the art all the time.
She’d put up a strong nail and change her artwork every couple months. Kept the collection carefully in a box in the bottom of the closet.
Fascinating read. An old quote but “The more things change the more they stay the same.”
Fascinating read. An old quote but “The more things change the more they stay the same.”
Fascinating read. An old quote but “The more things change the more they stay the same.”
Fascinating read. An old quote but “The more things change the more they stay the same.”
Fascinating read. An old quote but “The more things change the more they stay the same.”