The Galerie Georges Petit, 1881–1895: Newly discovered documents

Abstract The Galerie Petit was a focal point of the Parisian art scene in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Long overdue, a study of the career of its founder, Georges Petit (1856–1920), has hitherto been difficult to compile because of a lack of primary sources such as stockbooks and ego-documents. Secondary sources like marriage certificates and notarial records, however, have proven to be invaluable in reconstructing Petit's life. This article looks at one newly discovered dossier in particular: a bankruptcy file from 1895. This essay first contextualizes the temporary liquidation of the Galerie Petit, then examines the significant new facts revealed by the bankruptcy file about the activities of the gallery, focusing on the years 1881–95. Finally, the article analyses Petit’s business and reveals that it was unusually entrepreneurial, borrowing practices from other areas of commerce.