Thursday, October 21, 2010
THE LIBRARY FROM THE HÔTEL GAULIN, DIJON, ATTRIBUTED TO JEROME MARLET. French. Circa 1770. (Carlton Hobbs LLC
We warmly receive to the Carlton Hobbs Gallery this extraordinary French 18th century parcel gilt and white painted Library from the Hotel Gaulin, Dijon, attributed to the celebrated ornemaniste, Jerome Marlet (1713-1810), which belonged to J.P Morgan, Jr., one of the most important collectors of the twentieth century, to be ensconced for the second time beginning September 2010.
Wrapped in the garments of international shipping, an impromtu sidewalk showing of the individual incognito art pieces transforms the outdoor city space into an art d’assemblage. Pedestrians and modern conveyances respectfully decorate the space, with a sensation of modest flirtation. Read more... (141 words, 1 image, estimated 34 secs reading time)
In past blog posts we’ve shared the history of a number of special pieces from our collection. Now we’d like to share the history of the building that houses them: a mansion designed in 1930 by the famous architect John Russell Pope for Virginia Graham Fair Vanderbilt!
Mrs. Vanderbilt, the ex-wife of William Kissam Vanderbilt II (1878-1944), was one of American’s most illustrious personalities — a socialite and philanthropist, whose inheritance from her wealthy father had allowed her to commission a number of grand buildings throughout her life. The mansion on 93rd Street would be the last of these. Pope succeeded in designing a three-story residence for Mrs. Vanderbilt in the Neoclassical French style, perfectly evocative of the Faubourg Saint-Germain. Read more... (655 words, 7 images, estimated 2:37 mins reading time)
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Last week we took a look at some English country houses that have played starring roles in period films. In this post we’re featuring three well-known historic American buildings that have made appearances on the silver screen.
In 1984, the New York Public Library (Humanities and Social Sciences Library) on 5th Avenue and 42nd Street experienced a brief haunting in the opening scene of Ghostbusters. Standing beside Bryant Park, the Library was designed by Carrère & Hastings in 1911, is one of the country’s finest examples of Beaux Arts architecture. The main reading room, below, is also shown.
Read more... (358 words, 6 images, estimated 1:26 mins reading time)
Thursday, February 18, 2010
What do Luton Hoo in Bedfordshire, Wrotham Park, in Middlesex, and Syon House in London all have in common?
Wrotham Park. ©2007 Wrotham Park.
Besides their majestic beauty, individual sections of these estates were compiled to create the fictional Gosford Park in the award winning film of the same name.
The cast of Gosford Park in the Wrotham Park saloon.
The English countryside has always been a popular hunting ground for historically accurate movie locations. Some of the more popular films being Pride and Prejudice (Basildon Park), The Remains of the Day (Dyrham Park), and The Hound of the Baskervilles (Knightshayes Court).
Read more... (377 words, 6 images, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)
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Tagged Alnwick Castle, Basildon Park, Belton House, Castle Howard, Country House, Dyrham Park, film locations, Gosford Park, Harry Potter, Knightshayes Court, Luton Hoo, Pride and Prejudice, Syon House, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Remains of the Day, Wrotham Park
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