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Peacock & Vine: On William Morris and Mariano Fortuny
Peacock & Vine: On William Morris and Mariano Fortuny | A S Byatt
4 posts | 2 read | 7 to read
This ravishing book opens a window into the lives, designs, and passions of Mariano Fortuny and William Morris, two remarkable artists who themselves are passions of the writer A. S. Byatt. Born a generation apart in the mid-1800s, Fortuny and Morris were seeming opposites: Fortuny a Spanish aristocrat thrilled by the sun-baked cultures of Crete and Knossos; Morris a member of the British bourgeoisie, enthralled by Nordic myths. Through their revolutionary inventions and textiles, both men inspired a new variety of art that is as striking today as when it was first conceived. In this elegant meditation, Byatt traces their genius right to the source. Fortuny s Palazzo Pesaro Orfei in Venice is a warren of dark spaces imbued with the rich hues of Asia. In his attic workshop, Fortuny created intricate designs from glowing silks and velvets; in the palazzo he found happiness in a glittering cavern alongside the French model who became his wife and collaborator, including on the famous Delphos dress a flowing, pleated gown that evoked the era of classical Greece. Morris s Red House outside London, with its Gothic turrets and secret gardens, helped inspire his stunning floral and geometric patterns; it likewise represented a coming together of life and art. But it was a sweet simple old place called Kelmscott Manor in the countryside that he loved best even when it became the setting for his wife s love affair with the artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Generously illustrated with the artists beautiful designs pomegranates and acanthus, peacock and vine among other aspects of their worlds, this marvel-filled book brings the visions and ideas of Fortuny and Morris to vivid life."
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review
bthegood
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Mehso-so

I read this for #ReadSpooky2022 @teebe because Byatt is this month's author and I could not find any of her scary books at the library - this is well written just not a topic I am interested in - though I learned a lot -

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

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TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 2y
bthegood @TheAromaofBooks thx for hosting! This bingo is a fun, easy way to stay connected and reading, thank you! 2y
30 likes2 comments
review
CarolynOliver
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Mehso-so

As an object, this book is flawless (heavy paper, perfect font, gorgeous full-page photos). In other respects, I was disappointed. If you already know quite a bit about Fortuny & Morris, I think you'll enjoy this, but as someone without that background I thought the multi-part essay was too scattered. Writing is lovely as usual though.

CherylDeFranceschi ❤️❤️❤️ 8y
31 likes1 comment
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libraryrosemary
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this book is so full of gorgeousness

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shawnmooney
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I've got through decades and decades of reading without having been convinced I need to read A.S. Byatt. This cover might've finally done the trick! Oh wait… It's a biography of two 19th century artists… Wait…

jetspins24 This looks interesting. I have only read "Possession" of her books, which was great! 8y
NatalieR Gorgeous! ❤️ 8y
34 likes2 stack adds2 comments