Tag: books of letters

I find that books of letters hold a wealth of information about bygone times and about the people who write them. I’ve a number of posts here that feature material gleaned from books of letters so be sure to type in the tag to see what other posts pop up.

I never thought I’d be more impressed with Vincent van Gogh than I was when I saw pieces of his art for the first time. Then I read his letters to his brother Theo. Not only did they hold his reading habits, which included such a broad sweep of titles it was mind-blowing, they bore poignant witness to the mental struggles he faces as he doggedly chased his dream to be an artist. He declares in a letter from Borinage, the coal-mining region of Belgium in December 1878, “I have more or less irresistible passion for books, and I want continually to instruct myself, just as much as I want to eat my bread.” And he does just that, so passionately it’s remarkable to take the literary journey with him.

The luminous stained glass dome in the bar area of The National Arts Club in New York City.

Films Historical Design Literature

The Red Carpet Treatment

There is a momentum to writing that, once interrupted, is challenging to reboot. I’ve experienced this first-hand during the past two months as I have…

Whistler gilded the walnut latticework forming the shelves.

Art Cultural Explorations Interior Design

The Peacock Room à la Whistler

Saxon Henry July 23, 2015 architectural storytelling books of letters British poets Chinoiserie decorating history design narratives England fine porcelain France grand residences Great Britain Greek deities Groundbreakers Henry VIII House of Tudor literary design encounters London monarchs painters Paris Rococo Style salonniere The Literary Adventurer Tudor Era Washington DC

The most recognizable painting by artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler might lead you to believe he was as Puritan as his upbringing. The fact he…

Historical Design Literature Travel

Horace Walpole Shops The Decorative Fair

Saxon Henry May 26, 2015 antiques shopping in Europe architectural storytelling authenticity books of letters British poets cathedrals to explore dead poets society decorating history design narratives England famous writers fine antiques grand residences Great Britain Hans Holbein the Younger historic castles House of Tudor Italy libraries literary design encounters London monarchs nobility novelists set decoration The Literary Adventurer Tudor Era writing desks Yale University

The books I’ve been reading about Horace Walpole since I returned from my trip to London to attend The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair in…

Books Interior Design

The Old Familiar Faces

Saxon Henry April 13, 2015 actors and actresses books of letters British poets dead poets society decorating history design narratives famous writers keeping diaries literary design encounters London New York City novelists poetry salonniere Shakespeare The Literary Adventurer

…I have been laughing, I have been carousing, Drinking late, sitting late, with my bosom cronies, All, all are gone, the old familiar faces… These…

Madame Cezanne with Hotensias is a study by Paul Cezanne

Art Cultural Explorations Literature

Mme Cezanne at the Met

Saxon Henry February 24, 2015 authenticity books of letters dead poets society design narratives France Groundbreakers New York City novelists painters Paris

“For nearly seventeen years, Cézanne would conceal his affair with Hortense from his father…” —Philippe Cézanne As I studied the sketches and paintings in the…

Books DesignLabs Furniture Design

Rooms of Their Own

Saxon Henry November 18, 2014 American furniture manufacturers American poets books of letters dead poets society design industry leaders design narratives famous writers High Point Market keeping diaries lighting nonfiction writers novelists painters set decoration Virginia Woolf writing desks

A private place in which to write… As someone whose life is spent working with words for at least a part of every day, I find…

Cultural Explorations Historical Design Travel

Rococo Style in Italy

Saxon Henry July 6, 2014 antiques shopping in Europe books of letters decorating history design narratives Empire Style fine antiques fine porcelain France French aristocracy grand residences House of Bourbon Italy Louis XIV Madame de Sevigne Marie Antoinette Marie-Louise of Austria monarchs Napoleon nobility painters Paris Parma Petrarch Rococo Style Royal Courtiers royal palaces The Literary Adventurer

If I told you the most surprising thing I found in Parma, Italy, was France, would you think I’d lost my mind? I’m not speaking…

Conservatory at NY Botanical Garden on a bright summer day

Furniture Design Garden Design Nature Writing

Beatrix Farrand Gardens

Saxon Henry June 8, 2014 American furniture manufacturers authenticity books of letters design narratives Edith Wharton France Groundbreakers High Point Market literary design encounters New York City nonfiction writers novelists The Literary Adventurer Washington DC Yale University

Powerful things happen in a garden. Beyond the miracle of riotous color and the vibrancy of burgeoning life, momentous occurrences have transpired on the garden…

Books DesignLabs Philanthropy

Taking a Page (or Two) from Eudora Welty Books

Saxon Henry May 10, 2014 authenticity books of letters design narratives famous writers literary design encounters New York City novelists Venice

Taking a Page (or Two) from Eudora Welty Books “Why don’t you design a chair, Saxon?” My normal response to the question, posed by the…