Duveen were the most famous art and antiques dealers of the 20th century, with branches in London, Paris, New York and Liverpool. This business was founded in c.1876 by Joseph Joel Duveen Snr (1843-1908), who died on 9th November 1908 at Hyeres, France, and his brother Henry Joseph Duveen (1854-1919); J.J. Duveen had initially begun trading in partnership with his future brother-in-law Barnard Barnett in the mid 1860s, trading from Hull on the east coast of England. The firm was continued by Joseph Joel Duveen Jnr (1869-1939), with his brothers Edward Joel Duveen (1875-1944), Ernest Duveen (1883-1959), and Louis Duveen (1874-1920). Joel Duveen opened the first London gallery in Oxford Street in 1879, before moving to Old Bond Street by c.1900. An associated Liverpool branch was run by James Duveen, the nephew of Joseph Duveen Jnr. In 1967 Duveen was purchased by The Norman Simon Foundation, USA, and the business closed.
Another brother, Charles Joel Duveen (1871-1940), initially worked with his brother Joseph Joel, but left Duveen Brothers in 1908 to begin his own business 'C. Charles'.
