Illuminating three centuries of European artistry and ingenuity, this
volume in The Met's acclaimed How to Read series provides a wide-ranging
exploration of decorative arts from British writing tables to Russian
snuffboxes
Spanning three centuries of creativity, from the High Renaissance to the
Industrial Revolution, this volume in The Met's How to Read series
provides a peek into daily lives across Europe--from England, Spain, and
France to Germany, Denmark, and Russia. Featuring 40 exemplary objects,
including furniture, tableware, utilitarian items, articles of personal
adornment, devotional objects, and display pieces, this publication
covers many aspects of European society and lifestyles, from the modest
to the fabulously wealthy. The book considers the contributions of
renowned masters, such as the Dutch cabinetmaker Jan van Mekeren and the
Italian goldsmith Andrea Boucheron, as well as talented amateurs, among
them the anonymous young Englishwoman who embroidered an enchanting
chest with scenes from the Story of Esther. The works selected include
both masterpieces and less familiar examples, some of them previously
unpublished, and are discussed not only in light of their art-historical
importance but also with regard to the social issues relevant to each,
such as the impact of colonial slavery or the changing status of women
artists.
Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Distributed by Yale
University Press
