Quakers and savages: French art from 1750-90 that addresses the New World

The exhibition concentrates on some of the ways that America surfaced amongst French culture from the 1750's to the end of Louis XVI's reign. Conclusions about the age using objects made during the reigns of Louis XV (1715-1774) and XVI (1774-1792) enable a deeper understanding of Franco-American relations. The spheres of politics, philosophy, and fine and decorative arts coalesce to create a noteworthy aspect of French culture. From the cultural centers of the Kings to mass-produced prints peddled to France's lowest strata, an aesthetic agenda can be deduced for the education and edification that objects can bring. The essay will summarize the numerous lessons that can be learned from selected works, with the catalogue entries further assessing their functional and decorative qualities