The Picture Gallery; Room No. 1
New York: George Barrie, 1884.
Chromolithograph. Image measures 8" x 9 3/4", full sheet measuring 13" x 19". Includes original captioned tissue guard.
This print was published in "Mr. Vanderbilt's House and Collection", a rare 10-folio set from the Holland edition, with only 1,000 copies printed. The image was drawn by John Thurwanger (whose signature appears sneakily on a bench in the foreground), and printed by J. R. Lemercier using chromolithography, in which colored ink is printed in layers. This print depicts a decorative archway in room 1 of William Henry Vanderbilt's three-story art gallery, a large room filled with opulent couches and chairs, walls crowded with ornately framed paintings. William Henry Vanderbilt, the eldest son of railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt, inherited and nearly doubled his father's vast fortune. In 1879, he embarked on a $3 million project to build twin mansions, which became architectural icons in New York City. Vanderbilt wanted a place to house his large painting collection, hence the inclusion of a picture-gallery within his residence. Intricate wooden wall carvings, patterned wallpaper, and decorative furniture clash together in a show of new American wealth unique to the Gilded Age. Commissioned by Vanderbilt, the wealthiest man in America at the time, the book offers an extensive, lavish documentation of his monumental Fifth Avenue residence, known as the "Brownstone Twins." The two mansions, connected by an atrium, housed Vanderbilt and his daughters with their husbands, and were renowned for their opulence and intricate design.
Authored by Edward Strahan (Earl Shinn), an American art critic who studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, the book was published by George Barrie, known for his beautifully bound and illustrated works. The book served as a window into the opulent world of the Vanderbilt family, and was highly sought after by America's emerging middle class and nouveaux-riche.
Strahan and Barrie's work reflects a broader cultural movement in late 19th-century America, where wealthy industrialists like Vanderbilt sought to cultivate an American Renaissance, contributing to public art and culture in a manner reminiscent of the Medici. The Vanderbilt mansion, with its grand three-story Picture Gallery and intricately decorated rooms, stood as a symbol of this new era, showcasing the nation's emerging architectural and artistic tastes. The detailed descriptions and illustrations in "Mr. Vanderbilt's House and Collection" not only document the wealth and tastes of one of the era's most powerful men but also reflect the cultural aspirations of a young and rapidly growing nation.
Included is the tissue page with the name of the room pictured. The print is in good condition, with some white paper residue from tissue guard. There are some minor chips and tears to margins, not affecting the image. Image is very clear and colors vibrant.
Illustrator: John Thurwanger
Binding: Unbound
Language: English
Price: $300.00
Item #330210