Virtuoso Gilder at the French Court
Pierre Gouthière: Virtuoso Gilder at the French Court celebrates the life of Pierre Gouthière (1732–1813), considered to be one of the best Parisian bronze chasers and gilders of the 18th century. Gouthière became gilder to Louis XV in 1767, and is credited with inventing a new type of gilding that left a matte finish—dorure au mat—one of the hallmarks of his work. Although incredibly successful in his day, Gouthière died in relative obscurity and poverty; unlike some of his contemporaries, his works never regained popularity after the French Revolution.