William Kent
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Designing Georgian Britain
Edited by Susan Weber
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The most versatile British designer of the 18th century, William Kent (1685–1748) created a style for a new nation and monarchy. The scope of his achievements encompasses architecture, palatial interiors, elaborate gardens, and exquisite furniture. Among his creative innovations are bold combinations of elements from Palladian, rococo, and gothic design, anticipating the intermingling of architectural styles we see today. William Kent:Designing Georgian Britain is the first comprehensive exploration of this important designer and his extraordinary creations.
An international team of the foremost experts in the field examines the entire spectrum of Kent’s oeuvre, including the interiors at Kensington Palace and Houghton Hall. Essays illuminate issues about the authorship of Kent’s furniture and metalwork, situate his contributions in relation to architectural discourse, and classify the characteristics of his designs. Copiously illustrated, including many stunning new photographs, this handsome volume celebrates the work and career of one of the most influential figures in the history of architecture and design.
Published for the Bard Graduate Center, New York
Exhibition Schedule:
Bard Graduate Center, New York
(09/09/13–02/16/14)
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
(03/22/14-07/13/14)
Susan Weber is founder and director of the Bard Graduate Center.
EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
Bard Graduate Center, New York
(09/09/13–02/16/14)
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
(03/22/14-07/13/14)
“Published to coincide with a major exhibition at the Bard Graduate Center in New York, this grand volume provides a comprehensive survey of William Kent’s work in fields as diverse as landscape architecture and book illustration. Sumptuously illustrated and consisting of essays by top international experts, this is the most thorough investigation to date of the designer who truly shaped the taste of 18th-century Britain.”—Apollo Magazine
“This is a volume that answers in physical terms the stature of its subject: nearly 700 pages long in large format and with illustrations seemingly beyond count, it is, in every sense, a staggering production . . . it undoubtedly creates a new standard account of Kent’s life and work that is unlikely to be superseded for many years . . .For anyone interested in Kent, the book is surely an essential possession that will delight and engage.”—John Goodall, Country Life
“William Kent was one of the most extraordinary English artists of the first half of the 18th century . . . The exhibition’s catalogue . . . will become a standard reference book for Kent as the foremost experts in the field – Julius Bryant, Geoffrey Beard, John Harris, John Dixon Hunt, Frank Salmon and David Watkin – have written the 21 essays.”—Donald Lee, The Art Newspaper
“William Kent: Designing Georgian Britain is a majestic addition to the literature on British design and is set to become the standard work on a great British innovator and creative genius.”—Martin Levy, Apollo Magazine
“The book is magnificent, a great doorstopper with superb illustrations and a rich range of scholarship on every aspect of Kent's multifaceted career.”—Michael Savage, Grumpy Art Historian
“At just short of 700 pages and with superb contributions from no fewer than 15 leading authorities, this is a mighty achievement devoted to a major figure. . .It will remain the definitive account of its subject for many a moon.”—David Ekserdjian, The Spectator
“This book requires only an announcement, not a review, so eminent are its 15 contributors, their scholarship impeccable, its production so magnificent, its subject so various in his abilities. . .This. . .must surely be the art book of the year.”—Brian Sewell, The Evening Standard
‘Best to visit this illuminating show or read the handsome book, and then go and see the gardens, buildings and interiors in the flesh. Then Kent – the Renaissance man, Palladian man and baroque man – comes to life.’—Harry Mount, The Sunday Telegraph
‘[It] is comprehensive beyond anything previously attempted, incorporates much new research. . .and will serve as a basis for all future studies.’—Simon Swynfen-Jervis, Burlington Magazine
Publication Date: October 15, 2013
Publishing Partner: Published for the Bard Graduate Center, New York
624 color illus.
Preview, William Kent: Designing Georgian Britain from Bard Graduate Center on Vimeo.