The Great Exhibition in art: picturing the first world's fair, 1851

Abstract

"The Great Exhibition of 1851, the first World's Fair, is generally thought of as a giant trade fair, a showcase for empires and industries. However, it was also conceived to address a deep-rooted problem with British taste, which favoured European art and design over British. Julius Bryant's richly illustrated new book, which draws on the vast visual resources of the V&A's collections, establishes the centrality of works of fine art amongst objects on show at the Great Exhibition. It also highlights the ways in which contemporary artists were commissioned to depict and record the Exhibition's building and displays in commemorative publications" -- Provided by publisher.

Contents

Foreword -- Introduction: Picturing the unpaintable -- Part I: Creating the Great Exhibition -- Global ambitions -- A 'Crystal Palace' -- From raw materials to fine art -- Part II: Experiencing the Great Exhibition -- Royal performances -- Finding the 'lions' -- Part III: Publishing the Great Exhibition -- Illustrating the World's Fair -- Prince Albert and Comprehensive Pictures -- Conclusion: Lessons and legacies -- Notes -- Primary sources -- Further reading -- Acknowledgments -- Index.