Title
Country, Park & City: The Architecture and Life of Calvert Vaux,Used
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After beginning his career as an architect in London, Calvert Vaux (18241895) came to the Hudson River valley in 1850 at the invitation of Andrew Jackson Downing, the reformminded writer on houses and gardens. As Downing's partner, and after Downing's death in 1852, Vaux designed country and suburban dwellings that were remarkable for their wellconceived plans and their sensitive rapport with nature.By 1857, the year he published his book Villas and Cottages, Vaux had moved to New York City. There he asked Frederick Law Olmsted to join him in preparing a design for Central Park. He spent the next 38 years defending and refining their vision of Central Park as a work of art. After the Civil War, he and Olmsted led the nascent American park movement with their designs for parks and parkways in Brooklyn, Buffalo, and many other American cities.Apart from undertakings with Olmsted, Vaux cultivated a distinguished architectural practice. Among his clients were the artist Frederic Church, whose dream house, Olana, he helped create; and the reform politician Samuel Tilden, whose residence on New York's Gramercy Park remains one of the country's outstanding Victorian buildings. A pioneering advocate for apartment houses in American cities, Vaux designed buildings that mirrored the advance of urbanization in America, including early model housing for the poor. He planned the original portions of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History and conceived a stunning proposal for a vast iron and glass building to house the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. Especially notable are the many bridges and other charming structures that he designed for Central Park. Vaux considered the Park's Terrace, decorated by J. W. Mould, as his greatest achievement.An active participant in the cultural and intellectual life of New York, Vaux was an idealist who regarded himself as an artist and a professional. And while much has been written on Olmsted, comparatively little has been published about Vaux. The first indepth account of Vaux's career, Country, Park, and City should be of great interest to historians of art, architecture, and urbanism, as well as preservationists and other readers interested in New York City's past and America's first parks.
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- Q: Who is the author of 'Country, Park & City'? A: The author of 'Country, Park & City: The Architecture and Life of Calvert Vaux' is Francis R. Kowsky.
- Q: What is the main focus of the book? A: The book focuses on the life and architectural contributions of Calvert Vaux, particularly his work on Central Park and other significant designs across America.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 392 pages.
- Q: What is the binding type of this book? A: This book is available in hardcover binding.
- Q: When was 'Country, Park & City' published? A: The book was published on January 22, 1998.
- Q: Is 'Country, Park & City' suitable for those interested in architecture? A: Yes, the book provides an in-depth account of Vaux's architectural career, making it suitable for readers interested in architecture, urbanism, and preservation.
- Q: What significant works of Calvert Vaux are discussed in the book? A: The book discusses Vaux's designs for Central Park, his architectural practice, and other notable projects such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History.
- Q: Does the book include illustrations or photographs? A: The product description does not specify whether the book includes illustrations or photographs. However, books on architecture often contain visual aids to complement the text.
- Q: Is this book considered a scholarly resource? A: Yes, 'Country, Park & City' is regarded as a scholarly resource, ideal for historians, architects, and those interested in the historical context of urban parks.
- Q: What themes are explored in Vaux's architectural philosophy as presented in the book? A: The book explores themes such as the relationship between architecture and nature, urbanization, and Vaux's role in the American park movement.