Tastemakers: The 18th Century French Luxury Market and the Global Art Trade

Last week, Villa Albertine Headquarters located at the French Embassy in New York, hosted an event to honor its recent exhibit called, “Tastemakers: The 18th Century French Luxury Market and the Global Art Trade.”

The exhibition showcased over thirty pieces from the collections of Galerie Kugel, one of France’s most prominent galleries. Some of the works date back to 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, and were previously owned by the likes of Marie Antoinette, Madame de Pompadour and Madame du Barry.

The marvelous collection of luxury items had previously belonged to “Marchands merciers,“ who were the tastemakers of the 18th century French luxury market. As described by Diderot in 1751 Encyclopédie as “makers of nothing, sellers of everything.“

The exhibition was part of series of events Villa Albertine hosted this year. The collection is expected to continue traveling around the world, meanwhile Villa Albertine is hoping to host more events in the upcoming few months. For more information on the Tastemakers exhibit, please visit Galerie Kugel.