Overview

With the phenomenal success of the first international touring exhibition of his work (1996-1998), Archibald Knox (1864-1933) has emerged as one of the great decorative artists of the modern era. He is now recognised as being both the inspiration and genius behind British Art Nouveau that has become to be known worldwide as 'Liberty Style'. This recognition firmly establishes his importance alongside other great names in design such as Charles Rennie Mackintosh, CFA Vosey, Christopher Dresser, Josef Hoffman, Henry Van de Velde and Hector Guimard. Born on the Isle of Man, halfway between England and Ireland, Knox began his professional design career in London at the famed Silver Studio of Design - then Britain's largest decorative design studio - which was a primary supplier of metalwork, textile and jewellery design for Liberty & Co, the famous Regent Street retail establishment. By 1900 Knox began to work directly for Arthur Lasenby Liberty's company and, with his sensuous blend of Celtic inspired ornament and form, helped to define the Celtic revival and British Art Nouveau which were the cornerstones of Liberty's great success as the twentieth century dawned. At the same time Knox's modernist sensibility for essential form, streamlined design, as well as his comfort with machine production, influenced the evolution of Modernism from its more historically oriented predecessor, the Arts and Craft Movement. Knox's astonishing versatility in a variety of media including silver and pewter, jewellery and textile design, ceramics and the graphic arts, singles him out as a central figure in the history of modern decorative arts. This book has over 830 illustrations, eighteen essays and an annotated chronology by well-known scholars of Knox and this important period in the decorative arts (1895-1914) making it the definitive sourcebook on the life and work of Archibald Knox. It is an essential addition to the libraries of scholars, collectors' and connoisseurs of Knox, Art Nouveau, the Arts and Crafts Movement and modern decorative design for years to come. With a degree in art history and fine arts Dr Stephen A Martins has spent many years as a writer and scholar of modern art. His passionate interest in the life and work of Archibald Knox has inspired him to assemble one of the finest best-known collections of Knox's silver objects. He has alos co-curated an international travelling exhibition of hundreds of Knox designs which toured through Europe and the united Staes from 1996 to 1998. This exhibition was the catalyst for the enormous, and long overdue, growth of Knox's reputation throughout the world. Illustrations: 830 colour

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9781902889023

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