1.17.2011

Modern Grotesquerie

One of my favorite things in the world, grotesques, are thus named after the rediscovery of this style of fantastically connected architecture, flora and fauna, in the grottoes of the Domus Aurea (or Golden House), Nero's Roman hideaway.

Justly admired, the style was revived and used to great effect from the Renaissance (Raphael's grotesques were as highly prized as his more serious works) through the 18th century:









Imagine my delight in discovering the work of Ellie Curtis, whose prints drive me mad with desire:





And this last one is less a grotesque, but it still has the spirit:

3 comments:

DM said...

Your knowledge of things I've never heard of astounds me: These are AMAZING!

Can I have the third one? Is that DH I see on them?!

Nick Heywood said...

I know, aren't they incredible? I've always loved the style -- I think I first encountered these via the library of Kenwood, by Robert Adam, when I was 6. My parents visited London and came home with a book on the house that I read over and over until the binding disintegrated. The library is the stuff of boyhood dreams.

And yes, I think it is a DH! You must have them -- but the artist is in Argentina right now, and taking no orders until the Spring : (. I want to order some of her textiles for the nonexistent windows of my nonexistent house.

Sarah said...

Wow, these are all unbelievable -- gorgeous!

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