Amazon.com
Art nouveau embraced massive works of architecture and delicate pieces of jewelry, images of eerie seductresses and sinuous plant forms as well as flowing abstract shapes. The style transformed the decorative arts of many countries at a moment when Western culture believed itself to be on the brink of enormous change. Being ultramodern in the 1890s meant moving away from classical standards of beauty to create a sophisticated blend of nature and artifice. It also meant finding fresh inspiration in art history (Gothic architectural ornament, the airy curlicues of rococo art), non-European cultures (flat patterning in Japanese woodcuts, whiplash curves in Islamic art), or native folk art traditions.
Authoritative and elegantly written essays by 22 specialists, illustrated with 507 sumptuous photographs, make Art Nouveau, 1890-1914 one of the finest art books in recent memory. Produced to accompany a major exhibition that opened at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and runs at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., from October 8, 2000, through January 28, 2001, this volume is the first to illuminate the full range of art nouveau media and the complex connections--scientific, literary, mystical, mythological, psychological, industrial, nationalistic--that allowed it to take root in Europe and the U.S.
The famous art nouveau figures are all represented, of course: architects and designers Charles Rennie Macintosh, Victor Horta, Hector Guimard, Josef Hoffmann, Antonio Gaudí; art glass wizards Louis Comfort Tiffany and Émile Gallé; illustrators Aubrey Beardsley and Alphonse Mucha. But part of the pleasure of this book consists in discovering exquisite or bizarre pieces by lesser-known designers empowered by the dark sensuality of a style that perversely borrowed from nature to celebrate the nervous energy of urban culture. --Cathy Curtis
Book Description
Art Nouveau exploded onto the art and design scene in the early 1890s and spread rapidly throughout the Western world. This lush volume-created to accompany a major museum exhibition that opened at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, before moving to the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., in October 2000-is the most beautiful, complete, and wide-ranging study ever published on this enormously popular and influential style.
A wealth of illustrations and rare period photographs showcase masterpieces in all mediums-from Tiffany lampshades, Mucha posters, Klimt paintings, and Lalique jewelry to architecture by Victor Horta, Antoni Gaud, and Louis Sullivan. The text, by 20 leading scholars, is a timely reappraisal of a style that flourished at the turn of the last century, in a world grappling with new ideas and rapid social change. Decadent yet popular, both loved and hated, Art Nouveau gave rise to the concept of an all-encompassing "lifestyle environment"-a total work of art designed to appeal to the broadest possible audience.
This season's most scintillating art book, Art Nouveau, 1890-1914 will be unrivaled for years to come.
PAUL GREENHALGH is head of research at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. Former head of art history at Camberwell College of Art, he is the author of several books and articles, and a contributor to Abrams' A Grand Design: The Art of the Victoria and Albert Museum. He lives in London.
507 illustrations, 407 in full color, 496 pages, 81/4 x 93/4"
Customer Reviews:
A Reminder That One's Entire Home Can Be "Art" .......2007-07-12
A lot of people hear the word "Art" and think of a painting on the wall or a sculpture proudly displayed on a table or mantle. The lush images in this book remind us that we can incorporate "Art" into every physical part of our lives. There's no need to sacrifice form for function or beauty for utility. All you have to do is look at the woodwork, the floors, the lighting, the walls, and, yes, the decorative objects--in short, every aspect of an art nouveau home--to see "Art" in the smallest detail. Art Nouveau exemplifies the principle of "Art for Life".
All the pictures are color!!!!.......2004-12-10
This is a rare gem among art histories: A well researched book that an average person will enjoy as much as a researcher. What makes this book stand out from other books about art nouveau is how thorough it is (It is phone book thick) and the quantity and quality of the pictures. All the reproductions of art in this book are color, with the obvious exception of older photographs of artists and occasionally architecture or artifacts that no longer exist except in black and white pictures.
The book takes the theory that art nouveau was part of a social response to industrialization. So the art is defined as art that used a return to nature or investigation into magic to try to make sense of the world. Art works are organized by what materials they were created from (jewelry, ceramics, textile, commercial advertising prints). Paintings and some examples of the other medias are grouped by country with a historical write on art nouveau in that geographical region.
This book is great. The high quality color reproductions and so many of them are worth looking through again and again. If you are at all into art nouveau then you are likely to love this book. Libraries should make this available because of the wonderful high quality color reproductions.
This is THE BOOK on Art Nouveau........2004-03-20
This is the book to get on Art Nouveau. The authoritative essays are well annotated, and an excellent bibliography is included. The illustrations are very fine. Of course this is a nice "coffee table book," but really this is a wonderful reference book for scholars of the Fin de Siècle-Belle Époque. Highly recommended!
ALL ART NOUVEAU FANS MUST SEE THIS!.......2004-01-08
First off, thank you Paul! I have loved Art Nouveau from childhood, before I ever knew what the style was called. It is somewhere in my blood. ART NOUVEAU, 1890-1914 (pronounced Art Newvo) is like something from a dream. The photographs alone are worth buying this book for!
Here are the chapters along with two or more of my favorite works from each:
1 THE STYLE AND THE AGE
Emile Galle' "Hand." Hot-worked glass with patination. French, 1904. Victor Horta, Hotel Tassel (Tassel House) First-floor landing with view towards staircase. Brussels, 1893.
2 ALTERNATE HISTORIES
Gustav Klimt, Pallas Athene. Oil on Canvas, Austrian, 1898. Museen der Stadt Wien, Vienna. / Doorway with two jambs and a pillar from the 11th-century church at Urnes, Norway. Late 19th-century plaster cast.
3 THE CULT OF NATURE
Louis Majorelle and Daum Freres, pair of magnolia lamps. Gilt bronze and carved glass. French, c.1903. / Louis Majorelle and Daum Freres, Le Figuier de Barbarie. Lamp of patinated bronze and carved glass. French, 1903.
4 SYMBOLS OF THE SACRED AND PROFANE
"Spiritualism: In philosophy the state or condition of mind opposed to materialism or a material conception of things." Madame Blavatsky, Theosophic Glossary, 1892.
Rene Lilique, Dragonfly Woman*** corsage ornament. Gold, enamel, chrysoprase, moonstones and diamonds. French, c.1897-98. Calouste Gullbenkian Museum, Lisbon. / Gustav Klimt, Judith II (Salome). Oil on canvas. Austrian, 1909.
5 THE LITERARY HERITAGE
6 ORIENT AND OCCIDENT
Tsuba (sword guard). Iron with gold and silver inlay. Japanese, c.1700-1800. / Inro (small container). Wood with black, gold and brown lacquer and glazed pottery., Japanese, c. 1775-1800. Signed Mochizuki Hanzan.
7 ARABESQUES: NORTH AFRICA, ARABIA AND EUROPE
(left and right) Glass flasks from Persia (Iran). c, 1885. / (centre) Glass flask by L.C. Tiffany & Co. ***American, 1896.
8 LE STYLE ANGLAIS: ENGLISH ROOTS OF THE NEW ART
James McNeill Whistler, Peacock Room for the Frederic Leyland Hourse, 1876. Courtesy of the Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. / Alexander Fisher, peacock sconce.** Steel, bronze, silver, brass and enamel. English, c.1889.
9 THE AGE OF PAPER
Camille Martin, Portfolio, L'Estampe orignale.* Tooled mosaic leather. French, 1893. / Henri Bellery-Desfontaines, L'Enigme. Colour lithograph. French, 1898.
10 MOULDING WOOD: CRAFTSMANSHIP IN FURNITURE
Rupert Carabin, table, Wood. French, 1896. [I wish you could see this photo.** Two nude women on either side of the rectangular table have arms outstretched to hold the x top left of it, and their heads are the top right side of the x and their knees are bent to go down the bottom right of the x respectively.] / Eugene Gaillard, dining room** [black and white but oh I can see it in full color!] L'Art Nouveau Bing, Expositioin Universelle, Paris, 1900.
11 THE NEW TEXTILES
Henry van de Velde, dress** Belgian, 1900. / Otto Eckmann, Five Swans. Woven tapestry. German, 1896-97.
12 THE NEW CERAMICS: ENGAGING WITH THE SPIRIT
Agathon Leonard, part of a table setting: Jeu de l'echarpe. Porcelain.* French, 1898. / Weduwe N.S.A. Brantjes, dish.** Earthenware, Dutch, c.1900.
13 THE NEW GLASS: A SYNTHESIS OF TECHNOLOGY AND DREAMS
Louise Comfort Tiffany, vase.** Glass with applied and marvered colours, combed. American, 1895.
14 MODERN METAL
Horta House, view from the music room towards the dining room. *** 1898-1900. /Fernand Dubois, candelabra.** Electro-plated bronze. Belgian, c.1889.
15 JEWELLERY AND THE ART OF THE GOLDSMITH [one of my favorite chapters]
Phillipe Wolfers, orchid hair ornament, gold, enamel, diamonds and rubies.*** Belgian, 1902. / Ren' Lilique, iris bracelet.*** Gold, enamel and opals. French, 1897. / Rene Lalique, damselflies necklace.*** Gold, enamel, aquamarines and diamonds. French, c.1900-02. / Rene Lalique, winged female figure.*** Bronze. French, c.1899-1900. / Alphonse Mucha, bodice ornament.*** Gold, ivory, enamel, opals, pearls, and coloured gemstones. Czech, c.1900.
Ok, time for just the chapter titles and most essential loves listed from each chapter. This gives you an idea of how comprehensive this book is!
16 THE CONCENTRATED ESSENCE OF A WRIGGLE: ART NOUVEAU SCULPTURE
Jean Dampt, The Fairy Melusine and the Knight Raymondin. French, 1894.
17 THE PARISIAN SITUATION: HECTOR GUIMARD AND THE EMERGENCE OF ART NOUVEAU
Hector Guimard, principal entrance to Le Castel Beranger.** Paris, 1898.
18 VICTOR HORTA AND BRUSSELS
All the photos from the Victor Horta House!
19 MUNICH: SECESSION AND JUGENDSTIL
Franz von Stuck, The Sin. Oil on canvas. German, c.1906.
20 SECESSION IN VIENNA
Josef Hoffmann, Palais Stoclet, detail of tower.** Brussels, 1905-11.
21 GLASGOW: THE DARK DAUGHTER OF THE NORTH
22 LOUIS SULLIVAN AND THE SPIRIT OF NATURE
Adler and Sullivan, Transportation Building, Columbian Worlds Fair. Chicago, 1893.
23 BARCELONA: SPIRITUALITY AND MODERNITY
Lluis Domenech i Montaner, auditorium of Palau de Musica Catalana.*** Barcelona, 1905-08. / Antoni Gaudi, Casa Batllo, detail of fascade.*** Barcelona, 1904-06. / And all photos of Antoni Gaudi, Sagrada Familia!***
24 BUDAPEST: INTERNATIONAL METROPOLIS AND NATIONAL CAPITAL
Odon Lechner, interior of The Museum of Applied Arts.*** Budapest, 1896./ Zsolnay factory, vase. Prcelain-faience covered in Eozin glaze.** Hungarian, 1899.
25 THE NEW ART IN PRAGUE (where my violin was made)
Oswald Polivka, entrance to the Novak Building.** Nove Mesto, prague, 1901-04./ Interior and exterior photos of Osvald Polivka and Antonin Balsanek, the Municipal House
26 HELINSINKI: SAARINEN AND FINNISH JUGEND
27 MOSCOW MODERN
Elena Polenova, plate from Mir Isskustva. St. Petersburg, 1900.
/ Fyodor Shekhtel, both photos from the Riabushinsky mansion.*** Moscow 1900-02.
28 LOUIS COMFORT TIFFANY AND NEW YORK [another one of my favorite chapters--I adore L.C.T!]
Everything! Four Seasons window. Leaded favrile glass. American, 1897.
29 TURIN: STILE FLOREALE, A LIBERTY FOR ITALY?
The coolest chair I've seen in a long time: Carlo Bugatti, chair.*** Parchment over wood, copper, paint. Italian, 1902.
30 A STRANGE DEATH...
"Decorative Art can no longer exist any more than the 'style' themselves...Culture has taken a step forward and the hierarchical system of decoration has collapsed." Le Corbusier, L'Art decoratif d'aujourd'hui, 1925.
ILLUSTRATED OBJECT LIST: ART NOUVEAU 1890-1914 EXHIBITION, NATIONAL GALERY OF ART, WASHINGTON. Perhaps the best for last, has thumbnails of 375 additional pieces! I love it!
Listening to King Crimson The Power to Believe...awesome too.
Soar!
Incredible!.......2003-06-04
A book of incredible detail and beauty. I first saw this book in my local library and decided I simply must have it. There are print art, furniture and jewellry, arcitecture examples and more. Worth the purchase price to the last penny!
Amazon.com
The Art of Glass is a beautiful introduction to the art of glassmaking during its most innovative period of the 20th century. Beginning with the precursors to art nouveau, this survey traces art glass through the magnificent creations of Louis Comfort Tiffany and Argy-Rousseau, Lalique, art deco, and Swedish modernism. The historical background of each artist and company is discussed in detail, as are evaluations of their achievements, making The Art of Glass an invaluable guide to the medium. A glossary and index of glass artists are also included.
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful glass with a major omission........2000-08-22
Fine pictures with solid historical copy. I would rate "The Art of Glass" five stars if it were't for the exclusion of the glass of Frederick Carder, not only a major contributor to the genre, but designer/maker of some of the most beautiful glass objects of any period ever made.
Book Description
Nearly 200 beautiful examples of wrought iron gates, screens, balustrades and other architectural adornments.
Customer Reviews:
Fantastic plates from original portfolios with examples of 1.......2002-01-25
It is difficult to find an original porfolio full of plates illustrating the work of the French "ferroniers" in the twenties. This inexpensive booklet lets one admire these marvelous and rare examples, many of which no longer exist.
Art Deco Ornamental Ironwork.......2000-04-01
This book is a collection of 670 illustrations. No text is included with the illustrations, but could be a good resource for someone interested in seeing the various types of design used in what was mainly cast iron. The books groups the ironwork into handrails, window balconies, railings. banisters, drapery screens and door panels etc. For someone looking for a copyright free set of graphics this would be a good choice. For those interested in finding out how this ironwork was made and by who it would be a bad choice. These is no explanation of who, when or how in this book - just a collection of detailed illustrations.
Book Description
The fabulous Easter eggs that Carl Fabergé created in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for the Russian imperial family are legendary. Yet few know that during those same years, the renowned goldsmith and jeweler crafted exquisite flowers and fruit for his aristocratic clients throughout Europe, including the crowned heads of Russia and England. Carved from colored hardstones, set on gold stems, and embellished with jewels and enamels, these stunning pieces meticulously replicated real botanical specimens: wild roses, lilies of the valley, hawthorn flowers, and blueberries.
This beautiful volume tells for the first time the story of these tiny marvels, most of which disappeared or were sold following the Russian revolution. Today, Fabergé's existing botanical creations, such as the Wild Rose Collection of Queen Elizabeth II and the Red Currants at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, are found in museums and private collections. Fabergé Flowers combines superb photographs of these dazzling objects of fantasy with texts that illuminate the lost world of Fabergé's early collectors. AUTHOR BIO: Marilyn Pfeifer Swezey is an independent scholar of Russian decorative arts and cultural history. Alexander von Solodkoff is a historian of Russian decorative arts. Joyce Lasky Reed is the president of the Fabergé Arts Foundation of Washington, D.C., and St. Petersburg, Russia.
Customer Reviews:
Exquisite craftsmanship of nature's beauties.......2007-07-21
Just about a year ago, I went to a special exhibition in Newark, New Jersey that had artifacts from the private domain of Russia's last Tsar and his family. As I strolled among the clothing and photographs and paintings, there was one object that stood in solitary splendour in a glass case, occupying a place of honor.
The object was a bouquet of lilies of the valley, arranged in a beautifully woven basket, nestled in moss. But unlike real flowers, this was all crafted in gold, pearls and diamonds, and jade. It's so carefully made that you can see the veining in the leaves, the delicate strands of moss, and so vivid that if there was a breeze, you would swear that the arrangement would quiver.
Presented to the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna as a coronation gift, it sat on her desk until the Revolution. But it wasn't the only object that she owned that was crafted by Faberge. Every well-to-do and aristocratic home had frames, silver, and other designs created by Faberge and his firm in their homes. One of the most popular of these were the small floral arrangements, usually just one or two sprigs of a particular flower in a vase of rock crystal.
In Faberge Flowers, Marilyn Pfeifer Swezey explores these tiny treasures. Most are only a few inches high at the most, and delightful to look at. With other researchers and others that have fallen under the spell of Faberge's work, she takes a look at the works of this craftsman. Each essay is accompanied by splendid photographs of the flowers -- and a few of the famous Imperial Eggs -- which made the book worth purchasing.
One of the top researchers on Faberge, Alexander von Solodkoff, writes the first essay, cleverly disguised as the introduction, where he talks about the fondness of Russians for flowers, and the cultural significance of them, especially with their associations with spring and Easter. He also talks about the varied collectors of Faberge, both before the Russian Revolution and after.
"A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Foever:" The Faberge Flowers, by the editor of the book, Marilyn Pfeifer Swezey, goes into the history of these little objects of art. Known as "flower studies," these were also the rarest of the various objects d'art that the firm crafted. Only a hundred or so of these fragile objects are known to have survived to now, and when they rarely come to the open market, they fetch astronomical prices. Swezey discusses the materials used -- most remarkable is the actual dandelion fluff used to create the dandelion flowers, each held in place with minute wires -- along with the Art Noveau style which drew inspiration from nature. For the Russian court, it was a breath of fresh air, and reaction to the at times overbearing magnificence of the most wealthy court in Europe. Also covere are the various exhibitions that were held of the Faberge flowers as well.
An Astonishing Discovery by Ulla Tillander-Godenhielm
discusses how the fall of the Soviet regime in Russia has led to the discovery of the original designs and notes that were made in the creation of the flowers. She shows the finished object side by side with the designer's notes, and the details on both are what takes my breath away when I look at them. The author also goes into the decision making process and the steps in crafting the finished product, from the selection of the stones to the making of the rock crystal vases that formed the base of many of the flowers.
"His Greatest Patroness:" Queen Alexandra and Faberge's Flowers by Caroline de Guitaut talks about the largest collection of Faberge outside of Russia, and the woman who started it. The elder sister of Empress Marie, Queen Alexandra was very familiar with Faberge's work, collecting small hardstone animals as well as more than twenty-three of the floral studies. There are also notes about the others who have added to the Faberge objects in the Royal Collection today.
Faberge's London Branch and the London Ledgers by Tatiana Faberge is the shortest of the essays, just covering how Faberge opened the London branch of the firm, and how the surviving business ledgers have proved to be valuable in tracking down where many of the objects are today.
In Search of Faberge's Flowers in Russia by Valentin V. Skurlov is translated by Dudley Hagen, and talks about the collectors in Russia before the Revolution. Not only discussing the various collectors, he also mentions that having a knowledge of flowers was a sign of being educated, and that the flowers were quite an acceptable present when a piece of jewelry would be 'awkward.' Many of these objects vanished in the confusion of the Revolution, and their whereabouts are unknown. Another tidbit is that Skurlov talks about the various floral firms that supplied many of the hothouse flowers for the aristocracy -- and as models for Faberge's artisans. Using notes and ledgers, Skurlov gives a list of the various flowers purchased or given by the Romanovs, and among the photographs can be seen one creation nestled in the original case.
Faberge's Flowers: Science in the Service of Art by Mark A. Schaffer talks about his own love of Faberge (his firm A La Vieille Russe sells jewelry and often Faberge objects in New York City) and the little touches and detail that Faberge put into his designs, showing fruits and flowers in every stage.
Every photograph is annotated, and the essays have plenty of notes attached. There is an extensive index and while the book is not cheap -- the cover price is over 30$US -- it is worth it to add to any collector who is interested in Russian art, Faberge, or who simply delights in beautiful things. This is one of the best books about the Faberge workshops, and gives plenty of information that hasn't been revealed before. The photographs are what make this worth looking at -- they are very sharp, clear and evocative, each one a serene portrait of nature caught in time and craftsmanship.
Book Description
Jewelry was one of the purest, and most successful, expressions of the Art Nouveau movement. It captured the atmosphere and the passion of the fin de sicle, as well as the moral and artistic freedom that characterized the period. Fresh designs and motifs were created with an intense excitement that was shared by artists all over the world. Sensuous animal and plant forms surged with new life; the female form struggled toward a new freedom, suggesting a long-hidden eroticism; and sunsets and changing seasons reflected the symbolic view of art in nature borrowed from the Japanese. This book deals with major jewelers in France--their inspirations, techniques, and themes--and then follows the parallel modern movement that spread through Europe and the United States. With a detailed reference section and a collection of dramatic photographs, this treasury will appeal to collectors and jewelry lovers alike.
Customer Reviews:
Impressive, comprehensive.......2007-01-10
A very good book about this period, no other one has covered the subject as this one.
complete but dissapointing.......2006-11-01
i wanted to know more about art nouveau jewelry and this book really helped me for that purpose.
it has lots of pictures and info about whatever there is to know and see.
the only dissapointment was that majority of the pics are in black and white. You miss out on all the enameling work colors..
also i expected to see more from lalique.
overall though its a good book for starters.
Beautiful and Informative Book.......2006-06-27
This book far exceeded my expectations for the price! The only minor criticism I have is that I wish ALL the photographs had been in color. A great deal......
FANTASTIC!!.......2006-04-12
Beautiful book, this book was much more than I expected. The pictures of jewellery and the information contained within was worth every penny.
Art Nouveau Jewelry.......2006-03-09
This is a gorgeous book with fine high quality photos and great history, but it lacks a price guide which would add greatly to the appeal.
Average customer rating:
- A Truely Fine Book on Art Nouveau
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Treasures of Art Nouveau: Painting, Sculpture, Decorative Arts in the Gillion Crowet Collection
Michel Draguet
Manufacturer: Skira
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 8881183242
Release Date: 1999-07-01 |
Book Description
An extremely rich Belgian collection of Art Nouveau articles is behind the adventure leading to the conceiving of this book. Michel Draguet, in eight reference-filled chapters, guides the reader through the period between the end of the last century and the beginning of the present one, the herald of deep changes inspiring an art which, stemming from the symbolist and decadent instances, unfolds like a page of literature.
The articles of applied arts figuring in the book have the flavor of the poetry of Baudelaire and Mallarmé, recall the microcosm of Proustian interiors and take us back to an atmosphere steeped in the contributions of several arts, from dance to painting and sculpture, wherein the search for new techniques clearly does not play merely a minor role. Between literature and industry, a portent of the new century striding in, Treasures of Art Nouveau gives us back the savor of a world fully aware of the winds of change.
Customer Reviews:
A Truely Fine Book on Art Nouveau.......2007-09-30
A must for all who love Art Nouveau Decorative Arts like I do!! The collection is absolutely top-notch, and the art glass will blow you away with the clear, rich photography used to capture the best in Art Nouveau. All in all..... five stars!!!!!
Average customer rating:
- You Must Have This Book in Your Reference Library
- Art Glass Nouveau - A Treat for the Eyes
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Art Glass Nouveau
Ray Grover
Manufacturer: Tuttle Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0804800324 |
Customer Reviews:
You Must Have This Book in Your Reference Library.......2005-10-17
What we appreciated most about the Art Glass Nouveau is the 424 full color plates and the thorough descriptions. There is little value in a reference book if you cannot clearly see a good illustration of the subject matter. Small price for a lot of information.
The only negative about the book is the plate description and the plate illustration is not on the same page...which makes it a little cumbersome when using the book. But the beautiful colored illustrations and description more than make up for this little issue.
Thank you also for the terrific service. Sincerely, Julia L. Fairchild
Art Glass Nouveau - A Treat for the Eyes.......2001-08-02
Art Glass Nouveau was written by a husband and wife team, Lee and Ray Glover. They have photographed museum quality glass art from the late 1800's - 1930. This is the time period art lovers call Art Nouveau - or the new art.
The pictures are breathtakingly gorgeous, in full color. The text is outstanding in that it not only gives information about the artist (included are the most famous) but tells some of the details of how the glass was formed.
After reading this beautiful book I feel much more knowledgeable about how these treasures were created, yet no less in awe of their creator. I wonder how and from what heavenly body these artists came from.
If antique dealors knew of this book, they would certainly be clawing to get at it! Too bad it is out of print! Actually it has been brought back once already, in 1975.
It is a delight to view, it is abundant in information, and is well written.
Book Description
This is the first book devoted to Tiffany lamps in more than 20 years. Experts in the field have made a selection of exceptional lamps-many of which have rarely been seen or published-and each one has been newly photographed with the latest photographic techniques to reveal in extraordinary detail the artistic quality and high craftsmanship of these masterpieces of decorative art.
Martin Eidelberg and Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen have contributed essays on the history of the lamps, enlarging our understanding of Louis Comfort Tiffany's achievement. They have also drawn upon a host of previously unpublished photographs, paintings, and watercolors by Tiffany and other artists in his employ, as well as on working drawings and studio photographs, to evoke the lost gardens and interiors of Tiffany's country estate, Laurelton Hall, that so inspired him. They outline the development and manufacture of the Tiffany lamp from freehand sketch to the finished form, as well as the chief decorative themes in Tiffany's glass masterpieces and their relation to the work of other fin de siècle glassmakers. In this book, light, color, and the inspiration of nature co-mingle to produce a deliciously sensuous experience.
Customer Reviews:
Lamps of Tiffany.......2007-01-19
I really enjoyed this book. The color full page pictures are great.
The definitive book on the subject, for glass artists or just droolers.......2006-07-07
I'd postponed writing a review of this book because I imagined that it was only fair to read the entire text before I wrote about it. I've never really gotten to concentrate on the words, though, because the photos are so, *SO* astonishingly beautiful.
This isn't simply a collection of lamp pictures, taken as though they're head-and-shoulders photos in a police lineup. Many of the lamps have multiple views, from very small (to show off how drapery glass was used, for instance), to a general detail shot, to photographs of the bases the company used to accompany the shade. The photography quality is excellent; you really see everything you need. A professional glass artist (or drooling amateur like myself) can see the details and understand why these lamps set the bar for stained glass. Even if you know NOTHING about the subject, you'll be blown away by the overwhelming prettiness of the material.
I'm not sure if this book represents every Tiffany lamp ever made, but it must come close. Additional images show related material, such as photos of Tiffany's Long Island home (wow), cartoons for lamps we've never seen, and Tiffany Studios' 1904 advertisements for its lamps. Most of the book, however, is a study of the lamps themselves, organized by topic (such as fauna or wetlands), and analyzed in some detail.
When I drag my eyes away, I can recognize that the prose is as complete as the photographs. In addition to the historical context in which the lamps were created, there's plenty of history and analysis about their manufacture. ("Another watercolor rendering in the collection in the Metropolitan Museum is for a Snowball shade [figure 93]. Here, because of the model's domical form, the designer compensated for the curvature of the surface by opening the top sections of the shade into a series of regular projections, just as a cartographer has to allow for the curvature of the globe.") Some of it is a bit dry and academic, at least for those of us who are here primarily to say, "ooh, how pretty!" but if you cared about the details, you would definitely appreciate its depth. In other words: there's plenty to look at, and there's plenty to read, depending on what you're looking for.
You can find a few other collections of Tiffany's works, but I can't imagine you'll find a better one.
Great New Tiffany Lamp Book.......2006-05-12
It is about time that another great book joins the volumes published in the 70's and 80's. There is some new information here as well as photos of lamps that have not been seen for years. This book is well worth the money for any fan of these incredible lamps.
Lovely Book.......2006-03-22
I saw this book in a museum bookstore and immediately came home and purchased it on Amazon. I'm a stained glass student and looking at this book really inspired me. The photographs are stunning and the book is packed full of great information about Louis Comfort Tiffany and his studio. Included are his drawings for a few windows, information about the methods used to make them, and there's even info on the process used to create the glass. Very informative and a joy to look at.
Books:
- Lee Hammond's Big Book of Drawing
- Legacy: Selected Paintings and Drawings by the Grand Master of Fantastic Art, Frank Frazetta
- Leni: The Life and Work of Leni Riefenstahl
- Life Doesn't Frighten Me
- Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
- Marc Chagall (Jewish Encounters)
- Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home
- Mastering 3ds max 4
- Mythology
- New York Festivals 4 (New York Festivals Annual of Advertising)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Latino Visions: Contemporary Chicano, Puerto Rican, and Cuban American Artists
- Cities of Tomorrow: An Intellectual History of Urban Planning and Design in the Twentieth Century
- The Hippopotamus Pool
- The Hidden Land
- Tickle His Pickle: Your Hands-On Guide to Penis Pleasing
- Chemistry
- A physician's counsels to his professional brethren. By a practising physician.
- Subjoyride: Selected Poems
- The Secret Sierra: The Alpine World Above the Trees
- Global Trading Arrangements in Transition
Tiffany Lamps and Metalware: An Illustrated Reference to Over 2000 Models
The Lamps of Louis Comfort Tiffany
