Various Artists - Gerald Schurr 1820 - 1920 Les Petits Maitres De La Peinture Valeur De Demain

Les Petits Maîtres de la peinture (1820-1920): Valeur de demain is an influential, multi-volume art historical reference work written by the French art critic and journalist Gérald Schurr (1915–1989), published by Les Éditions de l'Amateur. [1, 2]

The main characteristics and significance of this work: Core concept of the book Rehabilitation of the 'minor masters': Schurr deliberately did not focus on the great innovators and established names of the 19th and early 20th centuries (such as Monet, Van Gogh, or Picasso).

Instead, he wrote about the so-called petits maîtres (minor masters). [1]"Valeur de demain" (The value of tomorrow): The subtitle refers to Schurr's philosophy that these lesser-known painters — who often stood in the shadow of great artists — were art-historically and financially undervalued.

He predicted that their work would be rediscovered and more appreciated in the future (by both museums and collectors). [1]Historical context: The book covers the period between 1820 and 1920, a century in which painting underwent a massive transformation (from Neoclassicism and Romanticism through Impressionism to Fauvism)

The 5 books are in reasonably good condition, with some small stains on some covers and some discoloration inside most books, at the top of the pages, and sometimes also on the sides (this is visible in the photos).

The weight is approximately 8 kilograms