Paris

Life and Luxury in Eighteenth Century

Bremer-David Charissa

This title provides a superbly illustrated and fascinating look at world of luxury objects in 18th-century Paris. Luxury items from centuries past are most often seen within museum settings, devoid of their original contexts and connotations. This groundbreaking book seeks to re-imagine objects from 18th-century Paris within their original context, showing how they were used in the daily routines of the elite members of society. Against the background of the reign of Louis XV (1723-1774) the chapters move chronologically from morning to night, covering topics as diverse as timekeeping, fashion and self-identity, domestic architecture, literature and art, and entertainment and socialising. By connecting the purposes, function, and beauty of these items, this volume makes a fascinating and important contribution to the study of a great period in French culture.

About the Author

Charissa Bremer-David is curator in the Department of Sculpture and Decorative Arts at the J. Paul Getty Museum. She is author of "French Tapestries and Textiles in the J. Paul Getty Museum" (Getty Publications, 1997) and has published extensively on French tapestries.

Reviews

"Superbly and exquisitely illustrated... For those who did not have the opportunity to visit the exhibition, reading the book will be the next best thing: 'Que la fete commence!'" – New Perspectives on the Eighteenth Century

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