Great Women Collectors [Hardcover]

Charlotte Gere (Author), Marina Vaizey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1999

This work is devoted to the very few women who, from 1750 to the present, have assembled significant art collections. The authors consider how and why these women collected, and explore the obstacles they overcame to assemble the objects. The book closely examines the characteristics of their collections, many of which can be seen today, sometimes in their entirety, in public museums and galleries. In the introduction the authors provide a general survey of the different collecting fields that appeal especially to women, including jewellery, fans, lace and textiles. It also looks at women who venture into new areas, collecting items such as fossils, insects and theatre memorabilia. In each case a leading pioneer is cited with a brief look at the nature of her collection. They observe how, with the shift from the eclectic mix of works of art and curiosities of nature collected in the 18th century to the focus on antiques in the 19th century, women were - whether by design or otherwise - collecting the possessions of their predecessors. The chapters look in detail at 30 great women collectors, each prominent in their fields. Rather than presenting these women individually, they are grouped together according to common themes such as "royal consorts" or "20th century creators of museums".

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This groundbreaking volume examines European and American women's roles in patronage of the arts from Catherine the Great through Dominique de Menil. Gere and Vaizey, who write on the decorative and fine arts, respectively, here supply a text that is thoroughly scholarly if not overly stimulating and surprisingly lacking in a feminist interpretation. More than 30 personalities are brought together--including Gertrude Stein, the Cone sisters, and Isabella Stewart Gardner--within chapters such as "Royal Mistresses," "Royal Consorts," "The Decorative Arts," "American Chatelaines," and "Business Women." The discussion of Coco Chanel's life and adventures ranks among the most interesting. The 76 illustrations, 16 in full color, are particularly striking and worthy of note. Accessible to a lay audience, this is recommended for larger public libraries and graduate-level collections on art and women's studies.
-Mary Hamel-Schwulst, Towson Univ., MD
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

Catherine the Great of Russia acquired art voraciously. Cosmetics magnate Helena Rubenstein collected African and contemporary art, miniature furniture, and Victorian glass. Coco Chanel amassed an enormous hoard of French 18th-century furniture. This fresh and fascinating volume is the first to look at women who, from 1750 to the present, have assembled significant collections of art, ceramics, jewelry, glass, furniture, textiles, and other objects. The kinds of collections these empresses, queens, socialites, actresses, and entrepreneurs assembled often differed tangibly from those of their male counterparts. The authors show how and why-and explore the obstacles the women overcame to create such important collections, many of which can be seen today in major museums. This illustrated volume is an original contribution both to the study of collecting and to women's studies. 76 illustrations, 16 in full color, 192 pages, 8 x 1055/8 " Charlotte Gere is a London-based expert in 19th-century decorative arts, and particularly in jewelry. She has written a number of books, including Abrams' Nineteenth-Century Design. Marina Vaizey was educated at Cambridge and Harvard universities. She has been an art critic at The Sunday Times (London) for 18 years and serves as a trustee of several museums. Vaizey has curated a number of exhibitions and written many exhibition catalogues.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 202 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; First edition. edition (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810963930
• ISBN-13: 978-0810963931
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #285,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #34 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Art

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