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America's Collection: The Art and Architecture of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms at the U.S. Department of State
The first volume in more than 20 years tells a new and modern story of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Reception Rooms, one of the top collections of American fine and decorative arts in existence.
Winner, NYC Big Book Award 2023, Fine Arts
The art of United States diplomacy has been conducted over more than two centuries with figures from all over the world, in peacetime and in conflict. For the last six decades, these negotiations have taken place in the rarified environment of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms at the U.S. Department of State. Tucked inside the modern Truman Building in the center of Washington, D.C., lies this special suite of rooms transformed by four renowned architects—gems of classical architecture brimming with exceptional American art and artifacts that tell the story of the nation’s founding and represent the singular ideals of the American character.
Housing one of the finest collections in the world, along with the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Winterthur, these rooms display more than 5,000 objects, including paintings by John Singleton Copley and Gilbert Stuart; silver and porcelain owned by George Washington and other presidents; fine furniture; maps and documents; prints and drawings, not to mention the very desk the Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary War was signed on.
With all-new photography and essays, this book captures the history of the rooms and explores more than 150 examples of the extraordinary American art that animates the exquisite spaces.
Winner, NYC Big Book Award 2023, Fine Arts
The art of United States diplomacy has been conducted over more than two centuries with figures from all over the world, in peacetime and in conflict. For the last six decades, these negotiations have taken place in the rarified environment of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms at the U.S. Department of State. Tucked inside the modern Truman Building in the center of Washington, D.C., lies this special suite of rooms transformed by four renowned architects—gems of classical architecture brimming with exceptional American art and artifacts that tell the story of the nation’s founding and represent the singular ideals of the American character.
Housing one of the finest collections in the world, along with the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Winterthur, these rooms display more than 5,000 objects, including paintings by John Singleton Copley and Gilbert Stuart; silver and porcelain owned by George Washington and other presidents; fine furniture; maps and documents; prints and drawings, not to mention the very desk the Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary War was signed on.
With all-new photography and essays, this book captures the history of the rooms and explores more than 150 examples of the extraordinary American art that animates the exquisite spaces.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published September 5, 2023
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 19, 2023
Clearly, America's Collection is not my normal book review. There is no main narrative and the focus of the work is the art and architecture at the diplomatic reception rooms at the U.S. Department of State. When I asked myself how to review it, I came up with two main questions. Is the book gorgeous? Do the various writers make you interested in whatever they are talking about? Both answers are a resounding yes.
The book is not only gorgeous inside but outside as well. It feels like art and everything within it makes me wish I had an artistic bone in my body (I emphatically do not). I'm no art critic, but I couldn't help but take the time to just stare at the pages and (allegedly) plan an art heist. Since you asked, the John Singleton Copley portrait of Frances Tucker Montresor. Sure, she was a redcoat, but I am willing to forgive.
There are too many authors to name but each of them do a great job gushing over the various artifacts. Special shout out to one of my personal favorites, Stacy Schiff.
In conclusion, you want something pretty for the coffee table with some cool write ups? This is for you.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by the publisher.)
The book is not only gorgeous inside but outside as well. It feels like art and everything within it makes me wish I had an artistic bone in my body (I emphatically do not). I'm no art critic, but I couldn't help but take the time to just stare at the pages and (allegedly) plan an art heist. Since you asked, the John Singleton Copley portrait of Frances Tucker Montresor. Sure, she was a redcoat, but I am willing to forgive.
There are too many authors to name but each of them do a great job gushing over the various artifacts. Special shout out to one of my personal favorites, Stacy Schiff.
In conclusion, you want something pretty for the coffee table with some cool write ups? This is for you.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by the publisher.)
Displaying 1 of 1 review