New Art Books at Brand Library

Roger Vivier by Colombe Pringle

Did you know that the stiletto heel was created by Roger Vivier in 1954? Who knew that something so fashionable and everyday is only 53 years old? If the topic of shoes excites you or just the history of fashion then you will certainly want to check out this compact book. “Vivier was also the man who designed incredibly flattering and sexy black-vinyl high boots, as well as low-heeled square toed pumps--which lent urban Amazons their confident stride. His inspired innovations radicalized techniques, as he mixed fabulous embroideries and clear plastic together. Vivier persuaded the leading manufactures to accommodate his creative whims, without ever losing sight of his classical foundations. Known as the ‘Heel King,’ this master of frivolity was always one step ahead of fashion.” (Book jacket)

Original Exhibition Posters, 1932-1979

Timothy Yarger Fine Art gallery in Beverly Hills produced an exhibition, The 20th Century Poster, in 2005 and an accompanying catalogue. Original Exhibition Posters, 1932-1979 documents this exhibition along with an introduction by Yarger, and an informative essay and commentary by Robert Flynn Johnson, Curator in Charge, Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

These original lithographic images are vintage, that is, they were created at the time of the event they document and involved the participation of the artist. “The art pictured in this catalogue provides an opportunity to reflect upon the many events which document the course of Modern Art… Collecting works of art of this nature thereby captures both a beautiful esthetic and an historical reference to this period” (Introduction). The catalogue is beautifully produced with hundred of examples of art posters by almost 30 major 19th and 20th century artists including Georges Braque, Marc Chagall, Raoul Dufy, Fernand Léger, Henri Matisse, and Pablo Picasso.

Louis Comfort Tiffany and Laurelton Hall : an artist's country estate by Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen

“This beautiful book focuses on Laurelton Hall, Louis Comfort Tiffany’s extraordinary country estate in Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York. Beginning in 1902, Tiffany (1848–1933) designed every aspect of the immense home, which had eighty-four rooms and eight levels, and extensive grounds into which the house was carefully integrated. Tiffany’s residential masterpiece was also a quasi-museum, for he filled it with his own works—windows, glassware, pottery, enamels, lamps, oil paintings, and watercolors—as well as with objects from his collections of Islamic, Asian, and Native American art. Laurelton Hall burned down in 1957, but about ten years earlier most of its contents had been removed and sold. Every aspect of the estate is examined and re-created in this volume: its terraced gardens with fountains and pools; the many outbuildings; and Tiffany’s life there. The interior decoration of Laurelton Hall, a particular focus of the book, is represented by both numerous period photographs and newly commissioned color photography of surviving artworks and salvaged architectural components from the estate. For all who admire Tiffany and his work, this book presents a unique portrait of his remarkable home.” (Publisher description) This book also accompanies a major exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.