The worldly aesthete, Sir John Richardson’s life is brought into bright focus in this evocative Rizzoli tome. The book captures the decadent, cluttered homes that he created; his staple ‘bohemian aristocrat’ interiors that followed him from place to place, chateau to apartment, and form a rich social history.
During his life – Richardson died earlier this month, on 12 March, at the age of 95 – he rubbed shoulders with and entertained the high-minded, notorious and aristocratic, Pablo Picasso to Lady Diana Cooper. He was famous for what, as well as who he knew.
The book, written by John Richardson, and photographed by François Halard, follows him from Stowe School in quintessentially British, rural Buckinghamshire; to the south of France, at the Château de Castille, which he shared with his aristocratic boyfriend Douglas Cooper. They took the château from a run-down castle into a private museum of early Cubism – then Richardson went on to New York City, where, originally working as a curator, he began to develop his voice as a writer.
His world – and his homes – were frequented by the aestheticians of the day, Fernand Léger, Lady Diana Cooper, Fran Lebowitz, and Oscar and Annette de la Renta. They contained English and American antiques, brilliant textiles, works of art by friends and acquaintances and intriguing mementoes, each which contains a story of its own.
Richardson is perhaps best known as Picasso’s biographer; his A Life of Picasso, published in 1991, won the Whitbread award. Douglas Cooper, the wealthy art historian, was considered Richardson’s ‘springboard’ into society – but Richardson quickly found his own footing.
This book is a visual feast and an indulgent read for those interested in bohemia, art and a rich and fascinating social history.
John Richardson: At Home, published by Rizzoli on March 26 2019. rizzoliusa.com
