Pillement, 1728-1808

The painter Jean-Baptiste Pillement (1728-1808) was probably one of the 18th-century artists who travelled the most in Europe, from Poland to Portugal. He worked in England, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany and Switzerland ; his drawings were redone and imitated everywhere in Europe and are sometimes used these days. He worked for the sovereigns of the Ancien Regime, in small artist circles during the French Revolution and, before his death, for the Lyon School of Art, rehabilitated by Napoleon.

This book by Marie Gordon-Smith is the first important monograph devoted to Pillement. With more than 400 illustrations, this study gives a good overview of the artist and his evolution.