In contrast to other histories of ancient art that typically privilege well-preserved works of ceramics or stone, Luxus offers an integrated contextual analysis of artifacts fashioned from a wide variety of luxury materials, which survive in far greater number than is typically supposed. These include gold and silver, semiprecious hard stones, and organic materials, such as ivory, fine woods, amber, pearl, coral, and textiles. Examining some of the finest surviving examples of ancient craftsmanship, renowned expert Kenneth Lapatin approaches objects in these diverse media from a variety of viewpoints, providing a valuable model for a more pluralistic approach to visual culture with the greater goal of reinvigorating the study of ancient art and society. As its title implies, Luxus is richly illustrated, containing over 200 images of superb works located in collections throughout the world. Each plate is accompanied by extensive documentation and discursive commentary. An introductory chapter explores the ideologies and uses of the luxury arts in ancient Greece and Rome, considers ancient debates about their value, and traces their decline in modern historiography. The book then goes on to address a broad range of luxury goods, such as intaglios, cameos, vessels, and statuettes, providing a full and multifaceted account of luxury in the ancient world.

A visual feast on 'the extravagance of the bohemian', the homes in this collection are a testament to personal style that readers will find inspiring and influential. Since the 1970s, Oberto Gili has been one of the most prolific lenses in the world of editorial photography, his lush images of fashion and interiors gracing the pages of House & Garden, Town & Country, and Vogue. This collection of his signature interior photography spans this significant career. Gili's passion for the grand, bold, and quirky granted him access to the inner sanctums of both high society and the bohemian demimonde. The selection includes numerous homes of French and Italian nobility, lords of the European and American creative class, and the photographer's own remarkable Piedmont farmhouse. This volume of Gili's best work is a sumptuous and voyeuristic study of his most arresting interiors and emphasizes the adventurous nature of both the homes and their occupants. These homes exude in turns grandeur, whimsy, and tranquility, each interior imbued with the unique style of its occupants. The book features more than 40 homes throughout the world--from New York penthouses and artist lofts to seventeenth-century Italian villas and country homes in Morocco--each personally selected by Gili and shown in full. Each house is accompanied by a short descriptive text by Susanna Salk. Sprinkled throughout the book are 10 short texts by selected homeowners (Isabella Rossellini, Mary Randolph Carter, Muriel Brandolini, Marella Caracciolo, Paul Fortune, and Beatrice Monti, among others) describing a personal history of the individual spaces.

Named One of the 100 Best Nonfiction Books Written by the New York Times Magazine, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, and a New York Times Editors' Choice. When John D'Agata helps his mother move to Las Vegas one summer, he begins to follow a story about the federal government's plan to store nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain; the result is a startling portrait that compels a reexamination of the future of human life.

When a Traveler family experiences a run of bad luck, an imaginative boy called Yokki lifts their spirits with tales of a magical white horse. A traditional Traveler-family folk tale which inspires hope and celebrates creativity. Told by a Romani storyteller together with a picture book author to positively reflect Traveling cultures.

Those of us lucky enough to lay eyes on Joe Anna Arnett's paintings have been blessed with the opportunity to appreciate first-hand the rich and varied textures, bold colors, and dramatic lights and shadows that contribute to the striking beauty and realism of her still lifes. With this book, you too will learn to wield your brush and palette to create breath-taking artworks that vibrate with spirit and allure. Joe Anna includes clear and engaging instructions for painting a wide array of still life subjects, including tulips, lilacs, onions, grapes, lemons, peonies and more! Additionally, seven sets of step-by-step demonstrations will teach you how to transform large, blocked shapes into lush, detailed scenes. With years of hands-on experience teaching students who have gone on to create stunning work in their careers, Joe Anna Arnett's instructions are much more than mere painting 'recipes'. Ranging from detailed advice on how to correctly hold your brush and tips on composition planning to lessons on color temperature and paint texture, the education offered by Painting Sumptuous Vegetables, Fruits & Flowers in Oil is comprehensive in scope and rigorous in quality. You will learn about every aspect of the painting process and will be inspired to create the best artwork of your life. If you're ready to take your oil painting to the next level, open this book, pick up your brush, and begin!

A stunning volume showcasing the magnificent court dress of the Russian Empire, culled from the authoritative collection at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, photographed with the Winter Palace as a backdrop. Prerevolutionary Russia was renowned for the glamorous and luxurious lifestyles of the nobility, with their opulent palaces and glittering social life. Now, this lavish volume reveals the incredible clothing they wore, from everyday dress and ceremonial attire (traditional holidays outfits and military uniforms) to dress for special occasions, including elaborate evening wear for theater and musical events and fancy masquerade balls. Celebrated for luxurious materials and impeccable craftsmanship, the dress of the Russian nobility was haute couture at its finest. With beautiful photography and details highlighting the hand-spun silks and lace and jeweled embroideries, Russian Splendor highlights the glamour of this gilded age and offers a fascinating window into a vanished world. Essays by Hermitage Museum curators, alongside historic Russian paintings and photographs, place the clothing in a historical context, revealing the rich cultural layers and artistic influences of czarist Russia.