Chinoiseries

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Written by: Bernd H. Dams, Andrew Zega

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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 729
ISBN: 0847830462
Number Of Pages: 164
Publication Date: 2008-04-22
Publisher: Rizzoli
Release Date: 2008-04-22
DteCode: j01

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Editorial Reviews:

Trained as both architects and historians, Andrew Zega and Bernd H. Dams are skilled artists known for their expert restitutions of historic buildings, rendered in a realistic watercolor technique that has become their trademark. Originally published as a limited-edition collector’s item that sold for $1,100, this affordable reprinted edition presents fifty charming images, the results of more than a decade of study of historic European and American architecture and garden ornament. Thirty-six of the works presented here delve into the past, reconstructing exceptional historical structures from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century with a predominately French style. The remaining are the authors’ original designs, beautifully detailed works inspired by these exotic and whimsical structures. Hubert de Givenchy, in his preface to Chinoiseries, describes these images as "precious documents [that] retrace an époque when taste, extravagance, and a sense of fantasy were an essential part of the way in which parks and gardens were embellished, by perfectly inscribing them in nature, then furnishing them with dreams."

User Comments about the Chinoiseries

This remains the essential guidebook to Chinoiserie. But the historical images and text are superb. I only wish that there were more photos of how Chinoiserie is being used today in fresh, new and inventive ways.

It's like you either love it or hate it, there seems to be no middle ground on this style. This is one of the definative books on Chinoiseries, when it came out it was cost prohibative to purchase, but this reprint is much more moderatly priced. Really, the book is beautiful and the knowledge of the two authors on this subject is unparalled. If you have any interest in this style or just appreciate beautiful books then i cant imagine you not loving this book; really the last word on Chinoiseries. For me, Chinoiseries really is an aquired taste, it is gorgeous on many levels, but very distinct.

I found it difficult to read about each particular structure as my eyes kept being diverted to the illustrations. One wants to remove the print pages from the book for framing. Chinoiseries This book is full of so many architectual chinoiseries that I never knew existed. I stayed transfixed on the illustrations of each page and it is as if I were transplanted into a chic fantasy world. I had some reservations about ordering this book as I did not need another coffee table book; however, the quality that is found among the pages makes this a must-see for the artist in all of us. The style and the colors are awesome.

If you're into Chinoserie at all, this is a beautiful addition to your design library- that is, if you can refrain from cutting up the book to hang the pages on the wall. The text accompanying each structure is great reading- I especially loved seeing Marie Anoinette's merry-go-round from Versailles. I couldn't, and now I have a beautiful graphic collection of framed panels from this book over my living room sofa. I'm buying a second copy of the book just so I can keep one to read.