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Gallery Statement | The Neoclassical Style | About Charles Plante | Exhibitions | Publications
Gallery Statement
Works of art in the home reflect their owner's taste and interests and bring warmth, texture and personality to the private realm. But with so many choices available, decisions can be daunting. The best advice is to combine the knowledge of a specialist with your own intuition in acquiring a work of art. Qualified dealers offer their expertise, practical counsel and passion to help collectors decide where to begin from. Charles Plante continues the tradition of presenting catalogued exhibitions on architecture, gardens and interiors popularised since 1950 in New York and from the 1970s in London . His expertise has been acknowledged by leading experts; Professor David Watkin wrote that “the tradition has now been splendidly revived by Charles Plante,” and John Harris 
noted that “Charles Plante is surely alone as a dealer who can show something of every category… always a gallimaufry of delight.”
Charles Plante is director of Charles Plante Fine Arts, a firm established in 1988 and dealing in European works of art from the 18th and 19th centuries, with a focus on the neoclassical style, c. 1760-1840. He specialises in watercolour drawings of architecture, gardens and interiors, oil sketches on paper and small paintings, often presented in frames of the period. He also offers “Grand Tour” works of art and sculpture, as well as French Empire and English Regency porcelain. Throughout the range of works available, an emphasis is placed on quality, condition, authenticity and provenance, with items ranging from the intimate to the sublime, from the charming to the spectacular. Although they frequently meet museum standards and have been included in major public collections worldwide, works from the cabinet of Charles Plante Fine Arts remain special and individually meaningful, each having a different tale to tell.
Charles Plante Fine Arts has been a member of the British Antique Dealers Association since 2000.
The Neoclassical Style
Neoclassicism emerged during the 18th century, the Age of Enlightenment. It used the tools of history and archaeology to turn the focus anew on the legacy of ancient Greece and Rome . This high-minded idealism valued simplicity and purity of form in art and architecture, thought of as the "True Style," a reassertion of timeless truths of antique models. It quickly became an international visual language and was adopted as official style by Napoleonic France and by the American Republic .
In France , the Louis XVI and Directoire styles were followed by the Empire , especially as refined through the study of Italian Renaissance sources by Charles Percier and Pierre F.-L. Fontaine. In England , the architects Sir William Chambers, Robert Adam and Sir John Soane drew on the material culture of the "Grand Tour" tradition for inspiration. The influential collector Thomas Hope used archaeological sources in his designs for furniture, a taste popularised under the Regency. In America , the Federal and Empire styles suited the bold new Republic. French style was widely disseminated around Europe: In Sweden it influenced Gustav III, in Russia it enthused the "art-possessed" Catherine the Great, and in Germanic lands it was embraced by many princes and patrons, with the Biedermeier later proving the perfect style for the middle classes. Stylistic choice broadened after 1815, as the Gothic Revival and the Italianate style burgeoned, in an eclecticism mirrored in today's post-modern architecture and interior decoration.
Neoclassical art is the fashion again, with renewed interest illustrated by recent exhibitions including: " Un Age d'Or des Arts Decoratifs: 1814-1848 ” (Paris 1991), "Karl Friedrich Schinkel" (London 1991), "Visions of Antiquity: Neoclassical Figure Drawings" (Los Angeles 1993), "Napoleon" (Memphis 1993), "Classical Taste in America: 1800-1840" (Baltimore 1994), "The Grand Tour" (London 1996), "Vases and Volcanoes" (London 1996), "Sir William Chambers"(London 1997), "Treasures of the Czars" (Paris 1998), "Sir John Soane" (London 1999).
Interest in historic interiors illustrated in exhibitions like “Home and Garden: Paintings and Drawings of English, middle-class, urban domestic spaces 1675 to 1914” (Geffrye Museum, London 2003 ) is reflected in Charles Plante's own exhibitions such "Inside Out: Historic Watercolour Drawings, Oil Sketches and Paintings of Interiors and Exteriors 1780-1880" (London 2000), “ Designs for Gilt Bronze Objects from the French Restoration 1814-1830: Clocks, Candelabra, Chandeliers, Sconces and Inkstands” (New York 2003), “Bringing home the Grand Tour: European Watercolour Drawings of Architecture, Gardens and Interiors 1750-1900” (2003-2004) and “ O ur Mirrored Past: Bricks, Flowers and Likenesses in Watercolours and Drawings 1750-1900” (New York 2004-2005).
Neoclassicism is not only a style well suited for interior decoration and architecture but also an unrivalled source for decorative arts including silver, porcelain, jewellery, fabrics, frames, glass, lighting and furniture. Charles Plante Fine Arts offers an exceptional variety of paintings and decorative works of art from the exclusive and expensive to the genuinely affordable.
Charles Plante Fine Arts has sold works of art by several artists, including:
Robert Adam, G. Albertolli, John Bacon, Henry Bailey, J.-H.-M. de Barmont, Jean-Victor Bertin, G.-B. Bison, L.-L. Boilly, Agostino Brunias, John Buckler, A.-T. Brongniart, A.-G. Bibiena, Vincenzo Brenna, Adam Buck, William Burges, Antonio Canova, C.-L. Chatelet, G.-B. Cipriani, C.-L. Clerisseau, C.-A. Chenavard, C.R. Cockerell, Richard Cosway, Maria Cosway, Sir William Chambers, L. Dagoty, A.-J. Davis, F.-V.-E. Delacroix, Z.-F. Doumet, J.-D. Dugourc, John Flaxman, P.-L.-F. Fontaine, A.-E. Fragonard, J.-H. Fragonard, J.-M. Gandy, Auguste Garnerary, Felice Giani, J.-A.-D. Ingres, Angelica Kauffman, William Kent, Leo von Klenze, J.-L. Legeay, J.-G. Moitte, G. Manocchi, A.-R. Mengs, Bernard Molitor, J.-C. Nattes, V.-J. Nicolle, J.-B.-C. Odiot, Charles Percier, P.-P. Prud'hon, G.-B. Piranesi, George Pyne, Biagio Rebecca, Humphry Repton, George Richardson, George Romney, Hubert Robert, Paul Sandby, Sir John Soane, J. Tearnof, Hilaire Thierry, Bertel Thorvaldsen. P.-P. Thomire, Horace Vernet, P-H de Valenciennes, Giuseppe Valadier, Sir Jeffry Wyatville, Benjamin West, Richard Westall, Charles Wild, James Wyatt, John Yenn, and A. Zucchi.
About Charles Plante
Charles Plante's first degree was at Connecticut College , followed by an MA Honours degree in History of Art with a focus on Neoclassical Art and Architectural History from the University of Cambridge . In 1988 he started dealing in watercolour drawings of architecture, gardens and interiors, oil sketches, small paintings, “Grand Tour” works of art, sculpture and porcelain. He was quickly welcomed into the highly specialised and demanding world of international art trade, establishing a reputation for beautifully presented and thoroughly researched objects presented in exquisite period surroundings. He is now acknowledged as one of the very few specialist dealers in architectural drawings of the period. Through his numerous exhibitions he has sold to both private and public collections around the world, including the British Museum, the Geffrye Museum , the National Trust (England), the National Gallery (London), the Saint Helena Government, the National Museum of Wales, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Royal Collection, the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He has written many articles and published three books: INSIDE OUT: Historic Watercolour Drawings, Oil Sketches and Paintings of Interiors and Exteriors 1780-1880 (London 2000), Designs for Gilt Bronze Objects from the French Restoration 1814-1830: Clocks, Candelabra, Chandeliers, Wall Sconces and Inkstands ( London 2002) and A French Alphabet Book of 1814 for Alfred Bourdier de Beauregard created by his uncle Arnaud at the Chateau de Beaumont de Beauregard (London 2004).
Forthcoming & Past Exhibitions
2007-2008 London Exhibitions: The Fine Art and Antiques Fair, Olympia, London.
(Spring, Summer, and Winter Fairs, 1993 to the present)
2007 New York Exhibitions: Tools of the Trade: Watercolours of metalwork from the Biedermeier period and The Grand Tour in Watercolours, at MALLETT, 929 Madison Avenue at 74th Street, New York City (January 17 to February 17, 2007)
2004-2005 New York Exhibition: O ur Mirrored Past: Bricks, Flowers and Likenesses in Watercolours and Drawings 1750-1900 at The Florian Papp Gallery, New York City .
(December 1, 2004 to January 22, 2005)
2004 Palm Beach Exhibition: The Palm Beach Art & Antiques Show.
(February 13-17, 2004)
2003-2004 New York Exhibition: Bringing Home the Grand Tour: European Watercolour Drawings of Architecture, Gardens and Interiors 1750-1900 at The Florian Papp Gallery, New York City .
(December 3, 2003 to January 23, 2004)
2002-2003 New York Exhibition: Designs for Gilt Bronze Objects from the French Restoration 1814-1830: Clocks, Candelabra, Chandeliers, Sconces and Inkstands at The Shepherd Gallery, New York City .
(December 10, 2002 to February 15, 2003)
2002 New York Exhibition: The Fall Fair: International Fine & Decorative Arts, New York .
(September 18-23, 2002)
2001-2002 London Exhibitions: The British Antique Dealer's Association Fair, London .
(Spring 2001 & 2002)
2001-2004 New England Exhibitions: The Nantucket Historical Society Antiques Show, Nantucket , Massachusetts .
(August 2001-2004)
2000 London Exhibition: Inside Out: Historic Watercolour Drawings of Interiors and Exteriors 1780-1880 at Stair and Company, London .
(December 12-22, 2000)
1991-1998 London Exhibitions: The World of Watercolours and Drawings Fair, London .
(January 1991-1998)
1994 New York Exhibition: The International Fine Art Fair, New York City .
(May 1994)
Publications by Charles Plante
Tools of the Trade: Watercolours of metalwork from the Biedermeier period, Charles Plante Fine Arts, London 2006
A French Alphabet Book of 1814 for Alfred Bourdier de Beauregard created by his uncle Arnaud at the Chateau de Beaumont de Beauregard, Charles Plante Fine Arts, London 2004.
“Collecting Old Drawings,” in Stephanie Hoppen, editor, Picture Perfect: Collecting Art and Photography and displaying it in Your Home , London 2004.
Designs for Gilt Bronze Objects from the French Restoration 1814-1830: Clocks, Candelabra, Chandeliers, Wall Sconces and Inkstands, Charles Plante Fine Arts, London 2002.
"A Connecticut House,” in Geoffrey Beard, editor, Country Houses and Collections: An Anthology , The Attingham Trust 2002, London 2002.
INSIDE OUT: Historic Watercolour Drawings, Oil Sketches and Paintings of Interiors and Exteriors 1780-1880 , Charles Plante Fine Arts, London 2000.
"Old Designs with Antique Themes," House and Garden Magazine, May 1991.
"Edgar de Noailles Mayhew," The New London Day, November 1991.
"F.C. Penrose (1817-1903) Athenian Architect", University of Cambridge , Department of History of Art , MA Dissertation.
"History in Houses: The Deshon-Allyn House, New London , Connecticut ," The Magazine Antiques , October 1986.
Publications on Charles Plante and Charles Plante Fine Arts
Michael Hall, “Collectors’ Focus: Architectural Drawings,” Apollo, December 2005.
Annabel Freyberg, "The A to Z of Childhood," The World of Interiors , June 2005 (Review of: A French Alphabet Book of 1814 for Alfred Bourdier de Beauregard created by his uncle Arnaud at the Chateau de Beaumont de Beauregard).
Wendy Moonan, “Amid Reign of Terror, An Aristocrat's Primer,” The New York Times , January 7, 2005.
David Moss, “Plante to bloom in US again,” Antiques Trade Gazette, December 4, 2004.
Brooke S. Mason, “Big Apple Buzz: Critics' Choice,” Art and Antiques Magazine, December 2004.
David Moss, “A super start for Olympia -but that's as good as it gets,” Antiques Trade Gazette, November 27, 2004.
Marion Harris, “Spring Forward, No Fall Back ,” Antiques And The Arts Weekley, April 16, 2004.
Wendy Moonan, "The Grand Tour in Watercolours," The New York Times, December 19, 2003.
Polly Chiapetta, “Private View,” Country Life, December 4, 2003.
F. Gwynne, "That's 'Watercolour' with a 'u', please," The Record-Review , December 19, 2003.
Matthew Dennison, “What to Buy,” House and Garden Magazine, July 2003.
Huon Mallalieu, “Around Olympia ,” Country Life , February 20, 2003.
Wendy Moonan, "Restoring Gilded Age in Drawings," The New York Times , December 27, 2002.
Huon Mallalieu, “Around Olympia ,” Country Life , November 7, 2002.
Lita Solis-Cohen, “ Olympia in June,” Maine Antique Digest, September 2002.
“Inside Info rmation” (Editorial), Homes and Gardens Magazine, May 2002.
John Harris, “A Dying Breed of Connoisseur,” The Art Newspaper, April 2002.
David Watkin, "IN & OUT,” Country Life , December 14, 2000.
John Harris, “Architectural Drawings: A Short Historiography,” (Introduction to Inside Out …) London 2000.
David Watkin, “The Psychology of the Interior View,” (Introduction to Inside Out …) London 2000.
Maev Kennedy, “Ladies who Paint,” 6 Space, December 7, 2000.
Susan Moore, “Stuff an old master in your stocking,” The Evening Standard, December 4, 2000.
Caroline Clifton-Mogg,"To the Manner Drawn," House and Garden Magazine , January 2000.
Sandra Lane , editor, Europe 's Elite 1000: the Ultimate list, The Millennium Issue , London 2000.
David Moss, “Olympia 's drawing power extended,” Antiques Trade Gazette, July 12, 1997.
Huon Mallalieu, “Around Olympia ,” Country Life , November 20, 1997.
David Watkin, “Northern Fantasy,” Antique International, Winter 1995.
Sally Griffiths, ''Triumph of Art over Space,'' House and Garden Magazine , December 1992.
“Rotton Deal” (Editorial), The Daily Telegraph, February 6, 1992.
Felix Barker, “Art Draws a Crowd,” The Daily Telegraph, January 20, 1992.
“Drawing on the Past” Inside the Design World, Architectural Digest, December 1991.
Roger Coppen, “Napoleon's Willows?” Country Life , January 10, 1991.