The Story of Follies: Architectures of Eccentricity

Description

Are they frivolous or practical? Follies are buildings constructed primarily for decoration, but suggest another purpose through their appearance. In this superbly illustrated book Celia Fisher describes follies in their historical and architectural context, looks at their social and political significance and highlights their relevance today. She explores follies built in protest, follies in oriental and gothic styles, animal-related follies, waterside follies and grottoes, and, finally, follies in glass and steel. Featuring many fine illustrations, from historical paintings to contemporary photographs and prints, and taking in follies from Great Britain, Ireland and throughout Europe and beyond, this is an amusing and informative guide to fanciful, charming buildings.

Celia Fisher has lectured and written widely on the history of plants and gardens in art. Her books include Flower: Paintings by 40 Great Artists (2012) and Tulip (Reaktion, 2017).

'Fisher draws on numerous sources to show her erudition in a feature of architecture, gardens, and landscape design, which she reveals in a series of fascinating stories linked to the world's artistic and cultural development.' - Jonathan Holt, editor of Follies magazine and author of several books on the follies of the West Country