Accorsi's Dream of the Eighteenth Century: The Dealer's Idea of an Ambient: A Fantasy of Piedmont and French Art

Colomer, Carmen (2001) Accorsi's Dream of the Eighteenth Century: The Dealer's Idea of an Ambient: A Fantasy of Piedmont and French Art. MPhil(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This study Focuses in the world of antique dealers as an important chapter in the history of art, their performance as a dictators of taste, their interest in public culture, their role in the patronage and curatorial activities, and above all their love for art. The career of Pietro Accorsi (1891-1982) of Turin, illustrates all these themes, focusing on three main points of reference: the creation of his personal residence which is today the Pietro Accorsi Foundation, his activity as an antique dealer and finally his collaboration with the Civic Museum of Turin. Moreover, each piece presented in the following exhibition illustrates his development and the realisation of his goals. Crucial to the understanding of Accorsis's revolutionary role is the chapter giving an over-view of the antiques trade in Italy at the beginning of the twentieth century, focused in Florence and its golden centuries of Medieval and Renaissance art. Issues of Styling and methodology are also discussed. In particular, the changes that Accorsi represented in the antiques trade in Italy, together with social and economic changes resulting from the two World Wars and their influence on the art market. So, the figure of antique dealer evolves: not only as a merchant of art but as collector, hoarder, patron, and ultimately a curator sharing his treasures and his knowledge with the public at large through his donations to the Civic Museum of Turin and their exhibitions.

• Item Type: Thesis (MPhil(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Additional Information: Adviser: Guido Bertone
• Keywords: Art history, Arts management
• Date of Award: 2001
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2001-76062
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 19 Nov 2019 17:02
• Last Modified: 19 Nov 2019 17:02
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/76062