The Story of Follies: Architectures of Eccentricity

by Celia Fisher

Overview

A beautifully illustrated history of these quirky ornamental buildings in gardens across the globe.
 
Are they frivolous or practical? Follies are buildings constructed primarily for decoration, but they suggest another purpose through their appearance. In this visually stunning book, Celia Fisher describes follies in their historical and architectural context, looks at their social and political significance, and highlights their relevance today. She explores follies built in protest, follies in Oriental and Gothic styles, animal-related follies, waterside follies and grottoes, and, finally, follies in glass and steel. Featuring many fine illustrations, from historical paintings to contemporary photographs and prints, and taking in follies from Great Britain to Ireland, throughout Europe, and beyond, The Story of Follies is an amusing and informative guide to fanciful, charming buildings.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781789146356
Publisher:	Reaktion Books, Limited
Publication date:	01/27/2023
Pages:	398
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.75(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Celia Fisher has lectured and written widely on the history of plants and gardens in art. Her books include Flower: Paintings by Forty Great Artists and Tulip, the latter also published by Reaktion Books.

Table of Contents

Preface 7

Introduction: A Taste of Follies 9

1 Seeking Out the Origins 31

2 Some Names to Conjure With 59

3 Telling a Story 93

4 Concepts of Freedom and Victory 133

5 Hunting and Husbandry 173

6 Waterside Follies and Grottos 205

7 The Lure of the East 247

8 From Ruins to Gothic and Picturesque 285

9 Hermitages and Tree Houses 317

Ten Into the Future 349

References 379

Further Reading 395

Acknowledgements 397

Photo Acknowledgements 399

Index 401

Editorial Reviews

"A guide to these fanciful buildings in Britain, Ireland and beyond, placing them in their historical, social and architectural context, and examining their relevance for today."

Gardens Illustrated

The book all folly lovers have been waiting for. . . it takes the appreciation of and learning about this branch of architecture and landscape design up to a new level. . . . Very literate with numerous allusions to classical antiquity and citations from living authors, and very well researched with a substantial range of sources.

Follies

"Fisher draws on numerous sources to show her erudition in a feature of architecture, gardens, and landscape design, which she reveals in a series of fascinating stories linked to the world’s artistic and cultural development."

Jonathan Holt

"This is a scholarly, sumptuously illustrated book, with extensive references, a further reading list and an index, which perfectly shows how human folly
of all kinds is etched into our landscape."

Fortean Times

Originating from the French word for madness - also translating to extravagance or stupidity - defining follies is, according to art historian Celia Fisher, ‘almost as tricky as defining art’. She explores their wonder in this beautifully illustrated and captivating book.

Daily Mail (UK)

"Fisher, a historian of gardens and plants, examines follies in a breezy narrative that abounds with intriguing examples . . . [and] excellent (mostly color) illustrations, primarily of exteriors. This is an enjoyable overview of an intriguing architectural and cultural phenomenon.

Choice

"This book is delicious. I love Fisher’s account of Beachborough Manor, which we know from a painting by Edward Haytley."

The Oldie