Micromosaics: The Gilbert Collection [Hardcover]

Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0856675113 | ISBN-13: 978-0856675119 | Publication Date: August 2000

The art of mosaics is of ancient origin, enjoying its first great period during the Roman Empire and its second in eighteenth and nineteenth century Rome, when a flourishing craft developed in response to the Grand Tour. Affluent tourists provided the ideal market for views of Rome and images from Ancient History and mythology, painstakingly worked in tesserae - minute pieces of coloured enamel - a technique known as 'micromosaics.' Some of these were so intricate that one square inch could contain as many as 1,500 tesserae. The range of objects was enormous - from jewellery and snuffboxes to large pictures and tabletops. All of these forms and subjects are comprehensively represented in the Gilbert Collection.

This book examine the collection through full-colour illustrations and detailed descriptions and commentaries. New research into the workshops and business practices of two significant Roman mosaicists derived from the archives of the Vatican Mosaic Workshops is detailed in an essay by Massimo Alfieri, while Judy Rudoe explores the techniques and materials of small-scale Roman micromosaic objects, illustrated with spectacular magnified photography.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel became Assistant Curator of Decorative Arts in charge of the Gilbert Collection of Mosaics at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1988. After leaving the museum she became curator of the Gilbert Collection in 1994, working privately for Arthur Gilbert, who in 1996 announced he was donating his collection to Britain.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Philip Wilson Publishers (August 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0856675113
• ISBN-13: 978-0856675119
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,887,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel is a native of Los Angeles. An Art Historian and curator, she left LACMA to become Curator of the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection of Art, composed of mosaics, silver, gold boxes, paintings and miniatures. Starting in January 2011, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art will display selections from the Gilbert Collection, thanks to the Gilbert Foundation. Jeanette is semi-retired and is happy to answer questions. E-mail [e-mail], web site www.micro-mosaic.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally - a Fabulous Book on Micromosaics!!, October 20, 2000

By 

Margot Conte (Old Chatham, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Micromosaics: The Gilbert Collection (Hardcover)

Finally! Finally, there is a book on Micromosaics, and what a wonderful book! Prior to the publication of Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel's masterful research job, there have been no books available to the collector of Micromosaics or for anyone who wants to read about a little-mentioned, and fading art. And who better to write the book then Ms. Gabriel who has been Sir Arthur Gilbert's Private Curator since 1994. Sir Arthur Gilbert's collection which now resides at Somerset House in London can only be equaled by the collections of The Vatican Museum in Rome and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.

There are a number of books that cover the vast and impressive Gilbert Collection: "Gold Boxes", "Monumental Silver", "Portrait Miniatures in Enamel," "Gold and Silver," "Hardstones" and now "Micromosaics." As I happily have the other books in my library - I can honestly say that the micromosaic book must have been the most difficult and yet it is extremely comprehensive. Ms. Hanisee's scholarly work on "The Gilbert Collection: Hardstones", must have been a bit easier to write as there is so much information on the art of Pietra Dura and Hardstone. Micromosaics is another ball of wax as so little was written - and I'm sure if it was to be had - Ms. Gabriel uncovered the information.

The Appendix has a fascinating section written by Professor Massimo Alfieri "New Notes on Giacomo Raffaelli and Michelangelo Barberi" two of the leading Master Mosaicists of the 18th and early 19th century ---- fascinating. It takes you to the time of the workshops, with letters, sales receipts, drawings and the like. Not only revealing, but just plain fun for devotees of the period. One can also find a section on techniques and materials used in the making of these compelling masterful and minutely executed works of art.

Seeing the fabulous color plates on almost every page, the items in the collection, one finds themselves rubbing their eyes in bewilderment over the artistry of these rare and intricate pieces. The footnotes are so interesting and well-written that they are a book within themselves, and my only wish was for a third hand to mark the place as I turned from text to illustration to footnote and back to text. In many books one tends to skip a lot of the footnotes, unless they pertain to a particular interest -- but Ms. Gabriel has added fascinating information and I told myself it was worth the digital exercise to read each and every one.

Lastly - Jeanette Gabriel has masterfully included very detailed Biographies of the known artists of the time and the literature connected with these artists; a Glossary - with full descriptions; a seven page Bibliography; Exhibition Histories, and an extremely well-written Index.

"The Gilbert Collection: Micromosaics" may look like a sumptuous coffee table book of 310 pages (which it is:), but it is definitely not fluff and mirrors -- it is a serious and fascinating work which should included in any library of Decorative Arts.

Obviously - I think it's just great, I thank Ms. Gabriel, and I give it 5 stars.

Margot Conte

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gilbert Collection: Micromosaics, July 2, 2000

By 

Laura Hiserote (Vancouver, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Micromosaics: The Gilbert Collection (Hardcover)

This is a beautiful and informative book with insights into historic and technical aspects of micromosaic provided by the leading authority on this art form. Beautiful close up photographs reveal the intricate details of these little treasures. This book is a must have for micromosaic and decorative arts enthusiasts and a beautiful addition to any library.