Gilded mansions
Subtitle: grand architecture and high society
By: Wayne Craven.
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co.; W. W. Norton & Company
Published: 2008
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 352
ISBN-13: 9780393067545
Subjects: Mansions -- New York (State) -- New York; Millionaires -- Homes and haunts -- New York (State) -- New York; Architecture -- New York (State) -- New York -- 19th century; Architecture -- New York (State) -- New York -- 20th century; Architecture and society -- New York (State) -- New York -- History -- 19th century; Architecture and society -- New York (State) -- New York -- History -- 20th century
Description: A lavishly illustrated history of the opulent art and architecture of the Gilded Age. The Gilded Age (1865-1918) saw the sudden rise of America's first High Society, including such prominent families as the Astors, Whitneys, and Vanderbilts. As an aristocracy based on fortunes recently acquired, these families endeavored to live like Europe's blue-blooded nobility, shedding Puritan restraint as they joyously flaunted their new wealthespecially where their homes were concerned. They erected French chateaus and Italian palazzos on New York's Fifth Avenue, at Newport, and elsewhere, often taking inspiration from Parisian styles of the Second Empire. They rejected more modest American styles just as they rejected middle-class society, and for interior decoration they turned to such artisans as Tiffany, Herter Brothers, and Allard's of Paris. Immensely readable and illuminated with 250 stunning color and black-and-white illustrations, this is the fascinating story of America's first millionaire society, the way they lived and partied, and the lush artistic and cultural legacy they established. 100 color, 150 black-and-white illustrations.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.