New publication on the 18th-century ceramics decorator Fidelle Duvivier
In the Footsteps of Fidelle Duvivier. A career summary with new discoveries of his work for the Sceaux manufactory in France plus a pictorial Appendix illustrating some of his decoration done in England and the Netherlands. Today, Duvivier's name and decorative work are still virtually unknown on the Continent, owing to the fact that his career has received little attention outside of England.
This book offers the latest research findings and provides a new chapter to his story, which is why it will be of interest to collectors, museums and auction houses in Britain, France, and the Netherlands, as well as elsewhere in Europe and the United States. In addition, it presents the essential history of the 18th-century French manufactory at Sceaux, one that has been sorely neglected in ceramic literature.
After studying Duvivier's activity in England, and having subsequently traced his career backwards in time, searching for his work in the Netherlands (at Loosdrecht and for The Hague), the author next concentrated her research efforts in France, where she was able to identify a diverse array of examples showing Duvivier's decoration on both faience and porcelain (Sceaux and Mennecy).
Stylistically speaking, it was not difficult to recognize how Duvivier's charming Dutch landscapes influenced his later work for New Hall and other English manufactories. But it was surprising to see how his earlier work for Sceaux, embodying the pleasing French tastes of the period, even carried over to his first English decorations, and confirmed the suspicion that he had worked at Sceaux – not once, but twice.
In addition to the richly illustrated main section of this publication, there are three appendices:
Appendix A contains a broad selection of photographs of Fidelle Duvivier's work done in England, France, and the Netherlands. These are compared and discussed by category. This section should be a valuable aid in future attribution work.
Appendix B contains new genealogical findings (a Duvivier family chart, and details of his first daughter's birth and baptism in Sceaux).
Appendix C includes historical descriptions of the various manufactories and decorating establishments where Duvivier was employed (Tournai, Derby, James Giles's London atelier, Loosdrecht, The Hague, New Hall). These summaries should be helpful to readers in other countries for whom these names might be unfamiliar. A bibliography is also included.
In the Footsteps of Fidelle Duvivier
by Charlotte Jacob-Hanson
Format: Soft cover, 8 ½ by 11 inches, 108 pages, 125 illustrations
Available from the author at her website:
www.chjacob-hanson.com
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