Includes index.

Written by one of the best-known authorities on the subject, this important reference surveys four centuries of Western decorative arts and design history, tracing the origins of the modern movement further back than in any previous study.

Starting with the High Renaissance in Italy, Peter Thornton explores a vast repertoire of motifs and styles. He highlights the accomplishments of key innovators from Pollaiuolo and Raphael to Percier, Pugin, and Owen Jones, and sets their remarkable achievements against the background in which they worked. He traces the development and subsequent revivals of themes and motifs and includes a wealth of illustrations, making this a ground-breaking source of inspiration for designers of today.

No other book provides such in-depth information on the decorative styles of this period. This essential reference fills a major gap in the literature on design history.