C.F.A. Voysey

Description

C.F.A. Voysey (1857-1941) was an architect-designer who advocated honest and thorough design, and championed high standards of craftsmanship applied only to the finest materials. The resulting objects-simple yet elegant, often enhanced by beautiful and symbolic decoration-were considered revolutionary in their time and continue to enchant audiences today. The first substantial monograph to be published in 20 years, this comprehensive book focuses on Voysey as a designer of furniture, metalwork and textiles, providing a new analysis of his characteristic motifs and designs. It draws on the greatest public and private collections of his work to give a complete and fully illustrated account of Voysey's output and his vision for domestic life at the turn of the twentieth century. Original drawings and plans, archive photography and images of a vast selection of surviving objects are brought together here in a fresh examination of the Arts and Crafts pioneer. The authors' extensive new research documents the personal and professional relationships that enabled Voysey to become a great and prolific designer. The book draws together new information on how he ran his business; how he promoted, exhibited and sold his work; who his clients were; who was responsible for manufacturing his designs; and what a Voysey house and interior looked like.

Karen Livingstone is Director of Masterplan and Estate at the Science Museum. Her previous publications include Essential Arts and Crafts and V&A Pattern: Voysey.

...'a magnificent volume, splendidly written, beautifully produced, and extensive in scope.' West 86th, V24, N2, ...'insightful and lavishly illustrated' The Lady, 11th March 2016, ...'superbly well printed with many well-juxtaposed comparative photographs and attractive design.' Decorative Arts Society Newsletter, Summer 2016, 'celebrates his work with lavish colour photographs. There is much to inspire.' Laura Freeman, The Daily Mail, September 9th 2016, 'superbly illustrated', Peyton Skipwith, Apollo Magazine, 13th August 2016, 'his designs deserve this beautifully designed and produced publication.' Charlotte Gere, The Art Newspaper, January 2017; 'It belongs on the shelves of anyone interested in the Arts & Crafts Movement, as well as those seeking to understand the development of twentieth century Modernism', Mary Schoeser, Text, Vol 44, 2017