Empire Splendor: French Taste in the Age of Napoleon

This is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read and simultaneously exceptionally informative about the subject matter it covers. For anyone interested in the French Empire style, it is indispensable. For history buffs it is merely fascinating. It is exhaustively detailed and meticulously and stunningly photographed. Go buy it.

This book does a good job of capturing Napoleonic style, but not great. One drawback is that it focuses almost entirely on Napoleon's residences, which makes this more like tour of a museum rather than a study of style. In my view, it would be deserving of a 5-star rating had it included modern interpretations of the Empire style in addition to the very fine images of the actual period interiors. I have yet to find an Empire book that accomplishes both adequately.

The pages were full of beautiful furniture and decorating styles. I loved every page. I couldn't wait to get more free time to examine in detail all the creations of so long ago...I enjoyed the way this book was presented with full pages of rooms. Another great coffee table book.

While the 'Age of Napoleon' is best known as a period of French expansion and ultimate defeat, it was also an era of elegance and the flourishing of the decorative arts. Drawing upon his experience and expertise as the Chief Curator of Josephine's residences of the Chateaux of Malmoasion and Bois-Preau (both of which are national museums), Bernard Chevallier has compiled and written "Empire Splendor: French Taste In The Age Of Napoleon", a profusely illustrated history showcasing the period's French culture as reflected in the interior designs, elegant lifestyles, and employment of the decorative arts by the well to do. Nicely organized according to room types that range from salons and bedrooms to dining rooms and porticos, "Empire Splendor" also features chapters on wallpapers, tableware, textiles, painted decoration, lighting and gardens. Enhanced with 305 full-color photographs by Marc Walter showcasing furniture, architectural details, and works of art, which perfectly supports and illustrates to accompany Bernard Chevallier's informed and informative text, "Empire Splendor" is a highly recommended addition to personal and academic library reference collections and a particularly choice as a community library Memorial Fund" acquisition.

Aspects of the French Empire style are shown in lavish color photos taken expressly for this book. To illustrate how the use of gilded surfaces and mirror gave contrast to early 19th century interiors, the photos do have shadows and shallow depth of field which this reviewer sees as a successful prsentation of the subject. As France was full of still-stylish existing private residences at the time of Napoleon, few new homes (other than apartments) were built. A great example, the still-private Hotel Bourriennne, is featured however.

In addition to HOUSES, other chapters are FURNITURE, DINING ROOMS, TABLEWARE, SALONS, TEXTILES, BEDROOMS, WALLPAPER, BATHROOMS AND DRESSING ROOMS, PAINTED DECORATION, STUDIES AND LIBRARIES, LIGHTING, and GARDENS. Informative captions and descriptive text provide extensive information to supplement the color photos, often full page and sometimes double-page.

This book is highly recommended for all interested in early 19th century French classicism.