art history

At Home in Colonial Williamsburg with Anthony Baratta

Posted on October 20, 2019 by Stacey Bewkes   •   15 Comments
It was a childhood trip to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia that started it all for designer Anthony Baratta. Inspired by the history, architecture and beauty of this 18th century living museum, Baratta developed his passion for history and design. Known for his bold, colorful, pattern-loving take on American style, it was not surprising that Williamsburg chose him to become their first Designer in Residence, inviting Baratta to live in the historic Palmer House and reimagine the circa 1750 residence as his own.…
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Nantucket Historical Association at the 2019 Winter Show

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Stacey Bewkes   •   2 Comments
Nantucket Historical Association at the Winter Show 2019
While many visit Nantucket for its beautiful beaches, charming cobblestone streets and rose covered cottages, those of us who annually frequent the Grey Lady’s shores know she also holds a special place of significance in our country’s cultural history. It is therefore fitting, that at the start of its 125th anniversary, the Nantucket Historical Association, is proud to be the loan exhibit at the 2019 Winter Show.…
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The Winter Show 2019

Posted on January 19, 2019 by Stacey Bewkes   •   5 Comments
Elle Shushan booth Winter Show 2019
Building on the success of last year’s more vibrantly decorated booths, The Winter Show (the new name has lost “Antiques” in the title reflecting the broader collections of the exhibitors) opened this week, celebrating its 65th anniversary in style. Elle Shushan booth Winter Show 2019 Elle Shushan‘s booth, decorated by Ralph Harvard with an Adelphi wallpaper, was, as usual, a standout.…
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Recognizing Women in Art

Posted on January 13, 2019 by Stacey Bewkes   •   7 Comments
Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun portrait of Muhammad Dervish Khan at Sotheby's
As the new year starts, there are many auctions, exhibits and art and antiques fairs on the horizon. One of the most interesting is the “Female Triumphant Sale” coming to Sotheby’s during Masters Week at the end of the month in New York.…
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Château de Villette

Posted on September 16, 2018 by Stacey Bewkes   •   7 Comments
Chateau De Villette
With design attributed to François Mansart (architect to Louis XIV) and gardens inspired by, if not actually designed by Le Nôtre himself, Château de Villette has stood, almost unchanged, since the late 17th century. It was, however, in the next century, that the château shone, serving as a hub for influential intellectuals and elite, supporting ideals of the Enlightenment.…
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Frank de Biasi x Christie’s Rockefeller Collection Auction

Posted on March 16, 2018 by Stacey Bewkes   •   8 Comments
Frank de Biasi for Christies
The next Christie’s collaboration celebrating the upcoming Peggy and David Rockefeller Collection auction is with designer Frank de Biasi. The Christie’s alumnus creatively reimagined the Lobby Gallery at the auction house incorporating items from the sale. A brilliant Mongiardino-like solution for the walls of the blank-box-of-a-space, using a cut and paste collage of Doug and Gene Meyer (Gene is Frank’s partner) wallpapers for Holland and Sherry, set the stage for a stylish interpretation of the collection.…
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The Art, Science and Beauty of Time

Posted on February 23, 2018 by Stacey Bewkes   •   4 Comments
BEAUTY OF TIME _cover
While seemingly at odds, art and science are often inextricably intertwined. And perhaps no place is this more evident than in the instruments that capture the beauty of time. I am hardly alone in my fascination with timepieces, those form meet function wonders that combine artistic expertise, engineering and amazing craftsmanship. …
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The Mystique of the Circus in Art

Posted on February 21, 2018 by Stacey Bewkes   •   4 Comments
George Seurat Circus Sideshow at the Met Museum
In the days before film, television, technology and other modern day distractions, the circus was a popular and egalitarian form of entertainment, especially in Europe, where it had a centuries long history. Affordable and available to all, people looked forward to these traveling troupes that would perform seasonally.…
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Prussian Blue – The Art and Science of Color

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Stacey Bewkes   •   61 Comments
Maria de los Dolores Collado and Echague by Vicente Palmaroli 1870-1
As I was scrolling through Instagram the other morning, I stopped to “like” and admire a post on Charlotte Di Carcaci’s artful feed. Maria de los Dolores Collado and Echague by Vicente Palmaroli 1870-1 The gorgeous saturated color in the detail of this portrait (of Maria de los Dolores Collado and Echague by Vicente Palmaroli, 1870, that hangs in the Prado) reminded me how much I love Prussian blue.…
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The Salon Art + Design 2017

Posted on November 12, 2017 by Stacey Bewkes   •   7 Comments
Hostler Burrows at Salon Art + Design 2017
Tomorrow marks the final day to visit The Salon Art + Design 2017 at the Park Avenue Armory. Including 56 of the worlds most influential galleries, this fair is marked by its wide ranging and inclusive nature. An impeccable mix of quality art and design, from historical to contemporary, including modern masters and emerging artists are all represented in this vibrant show.…
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