From Publishers Weekly
The neoclassical facade of Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's Virginia mansion, concealed busy interiors crammed with his eclectic collection of paintings, engravings, sculpture, scientific instruments, clocks, maps, Native American artifacts, specimens of natural history, musical instruments, silver, furniture, ceramics and personal objects. This sumptuous catalog with 327 illustrations (107 in color) of an exhibit at Monticello commemorating the 250th anniversary of Jefferson's birth provides a window on his polymathic activities as architect, naturalist, amateur scientist, gardener, historian and connoisseur. Objects shown here range from the desk on which the Declaration of Independence was written to moose antlers and Jefferson's walking stick. In her engaging essay, Stein, curator of Monticello, portrays a passionate collector who displayed both untutored taste and worldly sophistication.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Thomas Jefferson was a man of immense talents and interests. He was not only a distinguished statesman but also a noted scientist, architect, inventor, geographer, and lover of the arts. Monticello's curators have assembled a remarkable exhibition of more than 150 objects owned by Jefferson that reveal the broad range of his interests, from furniture to natural history specimens and writing instruments. The eclectic collection, fully illustrated and detailed in this stunning volume, has been gathered together for the first time since the contents of Monticello were dispersed to mark the 250th anniversary of Jefferson's birth. An insightful essay by Stein places the objects within the context of Jefferson's multifaceted life. Highly recommended for collections on American history and decorative arts.
- H. Ward Jandl, National Park Svce., Washington, D.C.Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
