A complete survey of domestic interiors portrayed in art from the ancient world to the late nineteenth century
The appeal of this extraordinary book lies in its rapt obsession with the details of the domestic interior, borne out in a wonderfully rich collection of pictures. These charming paintings and water-colours, mostly dating from 1770 to 1860 and coming from all over Europe, Russia and America, record with faithful accuracy the shape of a room, the pattern of a carpet, the furniture, pictures, fabrics and wall coverings, the hang of the curtains and the fall of the light they admit.
The pictures find their place in a complete survey of domestic – and some more palatial – interiors portrayed in art from the ancient world to the late 19th century, and including works by Vermeer, Hogarth, Dürer, Degas and Vuillard.
The text goes beyond scholarly commentary to present an evolving picture of men and women in relation to domestic surroundings, full of human interest, wit and wide-ranging cultural references.
'Magnificent … scholarly yet accessible … a seductive page-turner'
Financial Times
'Gorgeous is the only word for this book. Sweetly written, richly coloured, stuffed to bursting and lavishly packed'
Sir Hugh Casson, Observer
'Has lost none of its charm … a delightful combination of knowledgeable opinion, gossipy scene-setting and detailed description'
House & Garden
Format: Hardback
Size: 30.3 x 23.0 cm
Extent: 396 pp
Illustrations: 400
Publication date: 26 July 1982
ISBN: 9780500233580