Letters from Pierre Crozat to William Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Devonshire

This material is held atThe Devonshire Collection Archives, Chatsworth

  • Reference
    • GB 2495 CS1/170
  • Dates of Creation
    • 4 February 1722- 18 January 1729
  • Language of Material
    • French
  • Physical Description
    • 15 items

Scope and Content

These letters written over a seven-year period from Pierre Crozat, the famous art collector and royal treasurer, to the 2nd Duke, concern various works of art in the collection of the 2nd Duke and others. It includes reference to works acquired on the 2nd Duke's behalf or sold to him and some of which Crozat commissioned printed versions for collectors and as part of his work on compiling the volumes of his catalogue [Le Recueil Crozat, 1729].

The letters document Crozat's appreciation of the Duke assisting his research and teaching him about other artworks from collections which are in England, as well as his interest in the Duke's art collection. The letters capture Crozat's analysis of certain works of art and his views of their importance in comparision to other works he knows.