Lives of the Great Makers

A series of fascinating, well-illustrated biographies that offer insights into the women and men whose work in the applied arts represents the very pinnacle of their craft.

This fascinating, richly illustrated anthology of the lives and careers of some of the most accomplished craftspeople represented in the V&A’s collection celebrates the pinnacle of creative accomplishment. Their pioneering designs, techniques, and aesthetic flair resulted in masterpieces that changed the nature and direction of the decorative arts forever. Arranged chronologically from the Renaissance to today, this book contextualizes the makers’ biographies through thematic introductions to the history of the decorative arts.

The book features forty illustrated biographies, ranging from furniture-makers such as Thomas Chippendale to wood-carvers such as Grinling Gibbons, and from textile artists…