Catalogue de tableaux de maitres anciens et de tableaux et dessins modernes : appartenant à M. le baron de B... 1883

This is the cover for a sale catalogue made in 1883 for the auction house Hotel Drouot in Paris, advertising the sale of paintings from the collection of Baron de B... The catalogue is a fascinating window onto the art market of late 19th century France, when older art was becoming an increasingly valuable commodity. The sale included both old master paintings and contemporary works, reflecting a taste for both tradition and novelty among wealthy collectors. The Hotel Drouot itself was an important institution in the Parisian art world, serving as a hub for buying and selling art. Auction houses like Drouot played a crucial role in shaping artistic reputations and determining the economic value of art objects. To understand the full context of this catalogue, one could consult archives of auction records, dealer correspondence, and collectors' papers. Ultimately, this catalogue reminds us that art exists within a complex web of social and economic relationships.