About US

Gallery Statement | The Neoclassical Style | About Charles Plante | Exhibitions | Publications

Gallery Statement

Works of art in the home reflect an 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 the collector decide where to begin. Charles Plante continues the tradition of presenting catalogued exhibitions on architecture, gardens and interiors begun the 1950’s in New York and from the 1970’s in London. His role in this tradition has been acknowledged by the experts such as Professor David Watkin --“the tradition has now been splendidly revived by Charles Plante,”-- and John Harris-- “Charles Plante is Exhibition at Mallett Antiques in New York Citly surely alone as a dealer who can show something of every category… always a gallimaufry of delight.” He is therefore acknowledged as one of the few specialist dealers in architectural drawings of the period.

Charles Plante, director of Charles Plante Fine Arts, established the firm in 1988 and deals in European works of art from the 18th and 19th centuries, especially the neoclassical period, c. 1760-1840. He specializes in watercolour drawings of architecture, gardens and interiors, oil sketches on paper and small paintings, handsomely 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 offer, an emphasis is placed on quality, condition, authenticity and provenance, and therefore frequently meeting 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, ranging from the intimate to the sublime, from the charming to the spectacular.

Charles Plante was for many years a member of the British Antique Dealers Association

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 popularized 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.

Interest in Neoclassical high art is seen in recent exhibitions including: “Thomas Hope: Regency Collector” (London 2008), “William Beckford” (London 2001), "Sir John Soane" (London 1999), “Treasures of the Czars" (Paris 1998), "Sir William Chambers"(London 1997), "Visions of Antiquity: Neoclassical Figure Drawings" (Los Angeles 1993), "Napoleon" (Memphis 1993), "Classical Taste in America: 1800-1840" (Baltimore 1994), " Un Age d'Or des Arts Decoratifs: 1814-1848 ” (Paris 1991), "Karl Friedrich Schinkel" (London 1991),. The founding show in this series was “The Age of Neoclassicism”(London and Paris 1972) and the publications of Mario Praz. More everyday evidence on historic interiors and design in the exhibitions like “Home and Garden: Paintings and Drawings of English, middle-class, urban domestic spaces 1675 to 1914” (Geffrye Museum, London 2003) clearly draws heavily on Charles Plante’s own contribution to the subject.
This is reflected in Charles Plante's exhibitions and catalogues from "Inside Out: Historic Watercolour Drawings, Oil Sketches and Paintings of Interiors and Exteriors 1780-1880" (London 2000) to his recent single owner sale entitled: Town & Country Perspectives: The Charles Plante Collection, Christies, South Kensington, London (June 2008) reflects the latest state of his collecting. (see PUBLICATIONS)

Neoclassicism is not only a style well suited for interior decoration and architecture but also an unrivalled source for decorative arts including silver, porcelain, jewelry, fabrics, frames, glass, lighting and furniture. Charles Plante Fine Arts offers an exceptional variety in 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 most recent success was the notable and successful single owner sale at Christies, London entitled, Town & Country Perspectives: The Charles Plante Collection. This reflects the most recent development of his collecting into the C20 up to his cut-off date of 1959, as well as his long established and widely recognized role as a collector since 1988 when he first established CHARLES PLANTE FINE ARTS DEALERS. He quickly established himself in the highly specialized and demanding world of international art trade, making a reputation for beautifully presented and thoroughly researched objects presented in recreated in period surroundings at exhibitions and in a series of authoritative catalogues since 2000. He is therefore acknowledged as one of the few specialist dealers in architectural drawings of the period.

Plante has sold to private collectors at numerous exhibitions on both sides of the Atlantic since 1988. He has also sold to public collections worldwide, including the British Museum, the Geffrye Museum, the National Trust, the National Gallery (London), the Saint Helena Government, the National Museum of Wales, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Royal Collection, Historic Royal Palaces, the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. .
Plante has lectured and published articles and books on the subject on both sides of the Atlantic: 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), 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), and Tools of the Trade:Watercolours of metalwork from the Biedermeier period (London 2006).
Charles Plante received a MA Honors degree in History of Art from the University of Cambridge, with a focus on Neoclassical Art and Architectural History, following his BA degree from Connecticut College.

EXHIBITIONS by Charles plante

2009-2010 London Exhibitions: The Olympia Fine Art and Antiques Fair, London
(Summer, Spring and Winter Fairs, from 1993 to the present)

2008 London Exhibition: Town & Country Perspectives: The Charles Plante Collection, Christies, South Kensington, London (June 4, 2008)

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 March 17, 2007)

2004-2005 New York Exhibition: “Our 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, Palm Beach, Florida
(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
(March 2001 & 2002)

2001-2004 New England Exhibitions: The Nantucket Historical Society Antiques Show, 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
(May 1994)

Publications by Charles Plante

Town & Country Perspectives: The Charles Plante Collection, Christies, South Kensington, London introduction by Charles Plante, June 2008

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, Oct 1986

PRESS ABOUT Charles Plante

Meredith Etherington-Smith, “Town & Country Perspectives: The Charles Plante Collection: Elegant finds from two decades of neoclassical collecting”, The Christies International Magazine, June 2008

Annabel Freyberg, “Sale of the Centuries,” Telegraph Magazine, May 3, 2008

Meredith Etherington-Smith, “Meets Charles Plante,” Christies South Kensington Interiors Sales Calendar, May-June 2008

Lynne Heffley, “ ‘A French Alphabet Book’ offers much more than ABCs,” The Los Angeles Times, Jan 6, 2008

Christopher Schoppa, “Short Stack: Gift books that please the eye,” The Washington Post, November 22, 2007 (Review of: A French Alphabet Book of 1814)

Elissa Schappell, “Hot Type: Quick Takes,” Vanity Fair, November 2007

Timothy Brittain-Catlin, “Trade Options,” The World of Interiors, February 2007, (Review of Tools of the Trade: Watercolours of metalwork from the Biedermeier period, Charles Plante Fine Arts, London 2006)

Brook S. Mason, “The New York List: Grand Tour Moment,” Artnet Magazine, February 2007

Wendy Moonan, “Watercolours at Mallett,” The New York Times, February 23, 2007

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 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, Nov 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 Information” (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