Making Marvels - Science and Splendor at the Courts of Europe

The splendour and luxury of the royal courts of Europe are showcased in decorative art and furniture that combine innovation, technology, and spectacle. This groundbreaking study features 150 exemplary objects, including mechanical toys, scientific instruments, timepieces, and automata, and explores the layered historical context in which they were fashioned and gathered into cabinets of wonder.

Format: Hardback
Length: 308 pages
Publication date: 08 November 2019
Publisher: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Innovation, technology, and spectacle converge in magnificent works of decorative art and furniture that capture the grandeur and luxury of the royal courts of Europe. These remarkable creations, showcased in the exhibition "Making Marvels," serve as a testament to the power and status of European royalty from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment.

Featuring a captivating collection of 150 exemplary objects, ranging from mechanical toys to scientific instruments, timepieces to automata, this groundbreaking study brings to life a glorious period when luxury, a thirst for knowledge, scientific invention, and political power intertwined to produce awe-inspiring works of art.

These creations, far from mere playthings, were not just ornaments but catalysts for technical innovations that had a profound impact on a wide range of fields, including astronomy, engineering, and artisanal craftsmanship.

This remarkable volume delves into the intricate craftsmanship and materials used to create these masterpieces, encompassing precious metals, gemstones, pietra dura, marble, ivory, wood, bone, shell, glass, and paper. The accompanying essays provide a deep historical context, illuminating the complex interplay between art and science, and shedding light on the patrons who commissioned these extraordinary works and the skilled artisans who brought them to life.

Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and distributed by Yale University Press, "Making Marvels" is scheduled to be exhibited at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York from November 25, 2019, to March 1, 2020. This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore the splendor and luxury of the royal courts of Europe, while also appreciating the profound impact of innovation, technology, and spectacle on the artistic and cultural landscape of the past.

Weight: 2130g
Dimension: 251 x 308 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781588396778