Catalogue de tableau anciens : oeuvres remarquables de van der Meer de Delft et autres de ... tableaux modernes 1892

This is a catalogue produced by the French auction house Drouot, likely in the late 19th century. It lists artworks for sale, including pieces attributed to van der Meer de Delft, better known as Johannes Vermeer. Catalogues like these played a crucial role in shaping the art market and, consequently, artistic reputations. The very act of cataloging bestows value. Note the inclusion of “tableaux modernes.” This reveals a growing interest in contemporary art alongside Old Masters. Institutions like the Hotel Drouot facilitated not just the exchange of art but also the construction of artistic canons. To fully understand the catalogue's significance, we might consult auction records, period newspapers, and collectors' archives. These sources help us trace the provenance of artworks and understand the social networks that drove taste and value in the art world. Studying this catalogue through a social and institutional lens sheds light on the dynamics of art history itself.