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Product Description
Product Description
Published to celebrate the reopening of the newly refurbished British Galleries in the Victoria and Albert Museum. This work tells the story of design and decorative art in Britain from the time of Henry VIII to the reign of Queen Victoria. It shows how Britain's rise during this period to become the most powerful nation on earth was reflected in her art, architecture and design, in the way that people lived, and in the increasing quantity and quality of things made in Britain, from furniture to fashionable textiles and from porcelain to elegant silverware. Matching the royal dynasties of the period, the book is divided into the three major sections: Tudor and Stuart Britain; Georgian Britain and Victorian Britain, each looking at the achievements of British design in different and revealing ways. Key themes - "Style", "Who Led Taste", "Fashionable Living" and "What Was New" - form a framework for each section, within the broader historical context. Separate chapters deal with not only what things looked like, but also how they were made and how they fitted into daily life, who decided what was fashionable, and how key technical innovations changed the world. The text sets out to provide a fascinating picture of the changing nature of British design from the time of the Tudors to the Victorian period when Britain was seen as "the workshop of the world". The illustrations are taken chiefly from the V and A's collections of British art and design.
About the Author
Michael Snodin is Head of the Designs Section of the V & A's Department of Prints, Drawings and Paintings. Publications include Sir William Chambers (V & A Publications, 1996) and Carl and Karin Larsson: Creators of the Swedish Style (V & A Publications, 1997). John Styles is Senior Tutor of the V & A / RCA History of Design course. Widely published, he is a historian specialising in the eighteenth century, and is currently historical advisor to the V & A's British Galleries team.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a fantastic & well-researched book, which documents the beautiful artefacts shown in the lavish new British Galleries at the Vicoria & Albert Museum in London. The Galleries have taken items of decorative & historical significance from every department in this wonderful museum, and put together a definitive history of the decorative arts, as applied to all aspects of life in Britain since 1500. This book guides us through the entire exhibition, and with clear, concise & incisive commentary, helps to put the various design developments into context. The layout is very user-friendly,featuring many full colour photographs of the exhibits and explaining their origins and influences.I cannot recommend this wonderful book highly enough-truly inspirational for designers, students of design history or anyone interested in how and why we live the way we do. Buy the book, see the exhibition-do it now!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
Comparison With Similar Books
25 Mar 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Design and the Decorative Arts: Britain 1500-1900 covers a broader spectrum owned by the V&A but only those items designed and produced in Britain. Additionally, historical houses are included. The book is broken down into eras and categories. I learned a lot from the commentary about why the British Decorative Arts differ from their European cousins.
A Grand Design: The Art of the Victoria and Albert Museum features 200 items from ancient to modern in color and usually full page. The commentary reveals details to enhance the experience. The first part of the book is mostly B&W photos from the past and some drawings.
When I toured the Victoria and Albert Museum in London I was disappointed that the available books were limited to specific genres. These two books have given me at least some coverage of this vast museum.
I also own Judith Miller's Decorative Arts which is spectacularly visual and covers just about everything found in aristocratic homes and museums. It does not include architecture, clothing, or paintings. It provides multiple examples of specific styles from many countries. While the text gives a brief description, it is the photos of individual pieces that trumps every other book I have seen with the exception of those devoted to a single manufacturer.
A Grand Design: The Art of the Victoria and Albert Museum features 200 items from ancient to modern in color and usually full page. The commentary reveals details to enhance the experience. The first part of the book is mostly B&W photos from the past and some drawings.
When I toured the Victoria and Albert Museum in London I was disappointed that the available books were limited to specific genres. These two books have given me at least some coverage of this vast museum.
I also own Judith Miller's Decorative Arts which is spectacularly visual and covers just about everything found in aristocratic homes and museums. It does not include architecture, clothing, or paintings. It provides multiple examples of specific styles from many countries. While the text gives a brief description, it is the photos of individual pieces that trumps every other book I have seen with the exception of those devoted to a single manufacturer.
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