Racinet's Historic Ornament in Full Color: All 100 Plates from "L’Ornamente Polychrome", Series 1

The 19th-century French illustrator's classic reference to the decorative ornament of history's major cultures; over 2,000 royalty-free decorative motifs in 100 beautiful full-color plates expertly reprinted in full color from a rare 19th-century publication. “L'Ornement polychrome” is a visual record in color of ornament and decorative arts from all over the world and throughout history to the end of the 18th century, eventually included 220 plates. It was published in two parts, Series I and Series II.This edition contains all 100 plates from Series I. The copious material, ranging from Europe to Oceania and from ancient Egypt to just before 1800, is derived from architecture, painting, woodwork, metalwork, leatherwork, textiles, borders, tiles, carved wood panels, and other ornamental sources.The designs come from classic Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Etruscan motifs; Chinese, Japanese, Persian and Indian patterns; samples from the Arabic and Byzantine cultures; Celtic, medieval, Renaissance and 18th century European art.Dover's reissue of the plates, recognizing their perennial value and appeal, naturally is meant to serve the same purpose. Racinet's breadth of insight and catholicity of taste, truly enlightening for his day, give his selection a welcome variety and a consistently high standard of excellence; while the consummate skill of his artistic fellow workers and of his printer/publisher, the celebrated Firmin-Didot company, make these plates true works of art in their own right. Though he himself was a distinguished painter and illustrator, Albert-Charles-August Racinet (1825–1893) is best remembered for two monumental color-plate publications he edited: Le Costume historique (Historic Costume) and L'Ornement polychrome (Color Ornament). L'Ornement polychrome , a visual record in color of ornament and decorative arts from all over the world and throughout history to the end of the 18th century, eventually included 220 plates. The first 100 plates (Series I) appeared in ten installments between 1869 and 1873. A first edition of 5000 copies in volume form was published shortly after the completion of the installments, a second edition appearing as early as 1875. This edition contains all the plates from Series I, with brief new English captions that summarize the French text. The copious material, ranging from Europe to Oceania and from ancient Egypt to just before 1800, is derived from architecture, painting, woodwork, metalwork, leatherwork, textiles, and many other art forms. Racinet's often-repeated purpose in publishing these decorative masterpieces was the encouragement and improvement of the arts of his own day, not only so-called fine arts but also the commercial arts involved in the designing and selling of manufactured goods. Dover's reissue of the plates, recognizing their perennial value and appeal, naturally is meant to serve the same purpose. Racinet's breadth of insight and catholicity of taste, truly enlightening for his day, give his selection a welcome variety and a consistently high standard of excellence; while the consummate skill of his artistic fellow workers and of his printer/publisher, the celebrated Firmin-Didot company, make these plates true works of art in their own right. DOVER PICTORIAL ARCHIVE SERIES; Title Page; Copyright Page; Table of Contents; PUBLISHER'S NOTE; LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Though he himself was a distinguished painter and illustrator, Albert-Charles-August Racinet (1825-1893) is best remembered for two monumental color-plate publications he edited: Le Costume historique (Historic Costume) and L'Ornement polychrome (Color Ornament).L'Ornement polychrome, a visual record in color of ornament and decorative arts from all over the world and throughout history to the end of the 18th century, eventually included 220 plates. The first 100 plates (Series I) appeared in ten installments between 1869 and 1873. A first edition of 5000 copies in volume form was published s. 2,000 decorative motifs expertly reprinted in full color from a rare 19th-century publication. Adapted from borders, tiles, carved wood panels, and other ornamental sources, the designs include classic Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Etruscan motifs; Chinese, Japanese, Persian and Indian patterns; samples from the Arabic and Byzantine cultures; Celtic, medieval, Renaissance and 18th century European art.
Superb royalty-free plates from rare original edition of famed sourcebook depicts suits of armor from the Middle Ages, floor-length capes and striped tights of the Renaissance, the high-waisted Empire look of the Napoleonic era and much more. Includes military, civil, and religious garb from France, Spain, Italy, Holland, Germany, Scotland, Russia, and Poland. Superb copyright-free plates from rare original edition of famed sourcebook depicts suits of armor from the Middle Ages, floor-length capes and striped tights of the Renaissance, the high-waisted Empire look of the Napoleonic era and much more.--Publisher description