This firsthand account offers an insider's perspective on the revolutionary impressionist artists and their journey to fame, narrated by the dealer who played a pivotal role in their success. Through personal anecdotes and insights, the book explores the challenges and triumphs faced by these iconic figures, shedding light on their artistic vision and the impact they had on the art world. The narrative captures the essence of a transformative period in art history, making it a compelling read for enthusiasts and scholars alike.
Paul Durand-Ruel redefined the role of the art dealer. An exceptional entrepreneur and precursor of the international art market scene, he established a network of galleries between Paris, London, Brussels, and New York, and organized international traveling exhibitions. The first to recognize the talent of the Barbizon School artists and the Impressionists, and confident in his role championing their art, Paul Durand-Ruel was able to establish the careers of ground-breaking artists including Renoir, Monet, Sisley, Berthe Morisot, and Mary Cassatt. Paul Durand-Ruel: Memoirs of the First Impressionist Art Dealer (1831-1922) is a unique and indispensible reference work for those who wish to understand the artistic life and the art market of the nineteenth century. It is a testament to Durand-Ruel’s passion—as a friend and patron of the artists—the promoting the Barbizon School and, later, Impressionism. Retracing his life from 1831 to 1922, the book features more than sixty illustrations including archival documents and reproduction of works of art, a selection of articles and letters, a list of the principal exhibitions and artworks he displayed, as well as a biographical timeline and family tree.
