Painting and the Market in Early Modern Antwerp

by Elizabeth Alice Honig

This insightful book explores the ways in which Flemish painting between 1550 and 1650 both represented and reflected the burgeoning capitalism of Antwerp, Europe`s major port of the time. The author focuses on market-scene paintings as well as on the interaction between painters and markets, arguing that certain modern ways of collecting and valuing paintings had their roots in this period.

336 pages, Hardcover

First published February 8, 1999

Reviews

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

skimmed some more irrelevant parts

[Myles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a wonderful and tragic academic look at the transition from artist-driven to market-driven painting in Antwerp in the 16th and 17th centuries. I know that sounds dry, and for most folks it probably is, but I'm hoping it adds color to my trip to Belgium next month. A sad look at how painting evolved from a form of advertising braggadocio for bold, self-made artists looking to push the boundaries of what painting could be to just another luxury industry, churning out objects meant to facilitate rich male connoisseurs who want to earn some points when they have their friends over for caviar and Riesling. Also a great primer on the big names in Northern Mannerism.

[David Samuels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Expected more concrete data and less style analysis.