The Lustrous Trade: Material Culture and the History of Sculpture in England and Italy, c.1700-c.1860

(Hardback)

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The connections between the arts of Italy and England during the 18th century and the Romantic period as evidenced by the sculpture trade, is at the heart of this book. Contributors are economic and social historians of material culture and art, from the UK, Germany, Canada and Italy. They investigate the varied roles and functions of sculpture during the period c.1700-1830 and the ways in which this particular cultural exchange was manifested, in particular between Italy and England, but also in the wider European context. Chapters consider production and trade of Carrara marble from Tuscany; the activities of British and Italian merchants, in particular the Del Medicio, Lazzerini and Bienaime family businesses; the technical and commercial production of copies, and the flourishing trade of which sculpture was an integral part. Issues of the business and the various markets for sculpture are highlighted, from that for "high" art, the graffiti of antiquarians and sculptors, to the wider markets for religious, garden and decorative sculpture and the humble souvenir. Another theme is collecting: the trade in antiquities, the influence of the "grand tour", and royal aristocratic patronage of contemporary sculpture.

Author Bio

Cinzia Sicca is associate professor of history of European art at the Univeristy of Pisa. Alison Yarrington is professor of history of art at the University of Leicester.