Pierre Gouthière : Ciseleur-Doreur Du Roi

Pierre Gouthière (1732-1813) was bronze chaser and gilder of the king under Louis XV's and Louis XVI's reigns, although he worked mainly for a refined and wealthy clientele of collectors, as the Duc d'Aumont, Madame du Barry and the Duchesse de Mazarin. He was attributed the invention of a new technique of matt gilding. Despite the fame he enjoyed during his life, he went bankrupt in 1787 and died in poverty.
First monograph on Pierre Gouthière since 1920, this volume gives precious information on this talented artist. This study presents the result of new researches, detailed notes, and contains more than 40 plates corresponding to as many works certainly attributed to the artist, and also texts written by specialists who analyse Gouthière's work, career, clientele and gilding techniques. The book also includes at its end two appendixes, a bibliography and an index.

Event: Exhibition Pierre Gouthière: virtuoso gilder at the French court, The Frick Collection, New York, 16 November 2016 - 19 February 2017