'18th Century Style'

Beginning with the ornate elegance of rococo, and culminating in neoclassicism, the eighteenth century was an exceptional era in art and design. Exemplified by the grandeur of Versailles and the extravagant style of the court of Marie-Antoinette, it achieved an unrivalled level of aesthetic perfection. In Assouline's '18th Century Style', author and curator of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs Sophie Motsch, together with historian Emmanuel Sarmé, show how the philosophies of the period — of pleasure, freedom, comfort, novelty and luxury — continue to inspire contemporary artists and designers today. Overflowing with architecture, art, graphic design and fashion from the past three centuries, this breathtaking volume, which captures the eighteenth century’s enduring enchantment, is a must-have for art and art history aficionados everywhere.