The History of Decorative Arts: The Renaissance and Mannerism in Europe

The first volume in a three-volume set devoted to the history of decorative arts from the 15th to the early 20th century. It is a massive, beautifully produced work, translated from the original French edition (1993, Editio-Editions Citadelles & Mazenod, Paris), and covering the period from about 14

This beautifully produced book is the first in a proposed series of three volumes whose ultimate goal is to document the history of applied arts in Europe from late medieval to modern times. The present work encompasses the period from 1480 to 1630, which coincided with the proliferation of printing technology and the degeneration of Renaissance artistic premises that became known as Mannerism-one of the great eras of decoration. The editorial brilliance of Gruber, director of the Abegg Foundation in Switzerland, is evident in his decision to arrange his history around different types of ornament (e.g., cartouches, Moorish tracery) that remain consistent across media as varied as textiles, architecture, pottery, and furniture. The abundant, colorful illustrations are derived from a dazzling variety of sources and quite effectively display the recurring motifs. A definitive resource for all levels of research; recommended for public and academic libraries.
Douglas F. Smith, Oakland P.L., Cal.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.