A Swede in Paris in the 18th Century The Tessin Collection

Although not officially bearing the title, Count Carl Gustaf Tessin acted as Swedish ambassador in Paris from 1739 to 1741. A passionate collector of paintings and drawings during those three years, he became a friend of Pierre Jean Mariette and acquired works at the remarkable Crozat sale in 1741. Heavily in debt on his return to Sweden, he was obliged to sell part of his collection of paintings to King Fredrik I, who gave them to Queen Lovisa Ulrika. In 1750 the count also had to part with his collection of drawings, which was acquired by Crown Prince Adolf Fredrik. Organized in tandem with the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, now home to the greater part of Tessin's collection, the exhibition takes a combined chronological and thematic approach to his modus operandi. In doing so, it also provides an insight into the art market and Parisian taste in the mid-18th century.
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