Charles Alexandre de Calonne 1734 – 1802

Biography

Charles Alexandre de Calonne was born on January 20, 1734, in Douai, a city in northern France. He devoted his life to public service as a French statesman, earning recognition for his work in government during a pivotal period in French history. Beyond his political career, Calonne distinguished himself as a passionate art collector, amassing a notable collection that reflected the refined tastes of the era.

Calonne’s collection became one of the significant assemblies of art from his time. The breadth and quality of his acquisitions demonstrated both his discerning eye and his considerable resources. His collection held enough importance that it warranted a major public sale in Paris from April 21 to 30, 1788, an event that allowed other collectors and institutions to acquire pieces from his holdings.

Calonne spent his final years in Paris, where he died on October 29, 1802, at the age of 68. He left behind a legacy as both a statesman who navigated the complex political landscape of eighteenth-century France and as a collector whose appreciation for the arts contributed to the cultural heritage of his time.