At the turn of the twentieth century, Edmond Foulc’s renowned collection of medieval and Renaissance decorative arts attracted collectors and connoisseurs to his Parisian residence. Yet today Foulc is little known outside his native France, and the true reach of his collecting is little understood. This publication tells for the first time the story of his collection, from how he assembled the works to its significance within the larger field of collecting at the time, to its acquisition by the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1930. Highlights presented here include magnificent works of Renaissance art, such as the choir screen from the château of Pagny, an enamel triptych by the Master of the Large Foreheads, The Virgin and Child by Desiderio da Settignano, and Virgin and Angels Adoring the Christ Child by Luca della Robbia, in addition to exquisite examples of cutlery, metalwork, and furniture.
About the Authors
Jack Hinton is associate curator of European decorative arts and sculpture at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Alexandra Gauthier is a PhD student at the Sorbonne, Paris, and an expert on Edmond Foulc.