Rienzi : European Decorative Arts and Paintings

by Howe, Katherine S.

• ISBN13: 9781857595055
• ISBN10: 185759505X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-03-01
• Publisher: Scala Books

Summary

Rienzi, the centre for European decorative arts at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, was given to the museum through the estates of arts patrons Harris Masterson II and his wife Carroll Sterling Masterson, in 1997. This chronicle of the house museum and its collection is published in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the donation of Rienzi to the MFAH. Rienzi comprises a remarkable art collection, a house and gardens. Harris Masterson was a born collector with a keen interest in European art, especially British painting and decorative arts, which he began to acquire while in England during World War II. His collecting interests were diverse, ranging from 18th-century English ceramics, French and English furniture and portraiture, to small, precious objects by jewellers such as Jean Schlumberger and David Webb. This book is the first to document Rienzi and its collections. It presents an illustrated biography of the Mastersons and their role as collectors, written by Katherine S. Howe, who has served as the Director of Rienzi since its dedication. This is followed by essays on the design and history of the house and the gardens at Rienzi. The catalogue will present highlights of the collection with beautiful colour reproductions.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface and Acknowledgments

Harris and Carroll Masterson and Rienzi

The Architecture of Rienzi

The Landscape of Rienzi: A Personal Garden

Highlights of the Collection

Paintings

Furniture

Metals

Sculpture, Glass, Objets de Vertu, and Portrait Miniatures

Continental Porcelain

Worcester Porcelain

Notes

Provenance of Objects in the Catalogue

Selected Bibliography

Index

Photographic Credits

Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.