Lives of the Great Makers

This fascinating, richly illustrated anthology of the lives and careers of some of the most accomplished craftspeople represented in the V&A’s collection celebrates the pinnacle of creative accomplishment. Their pioneering designs, technique and aesthetic flair resulted in masterpieces that changed the nature and direction of the decorative arts forever. Arranged chronologically from the Renaissance to now, the makers’ biographies are contextualised by thematic introductions to the history of the decorative arts. The book features forty illustrated biographies, ranging from furniture makers such as Thomas Chippendale to woodcarvers such as Grinling Gibbons, textile artists including Gunta Stlzl and ceramicists such as Lucie Rie, alongside goldsmiths, enamellists and many more.