Olivier Meslay

In 1802, at the age of 26, Joseph Mallord William Turner became the youngest ever member of the Royal Academy.

This elegant and beautifully illustrated book recreates Villa La Pausa, built by acclaimed fashion designer Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel, with architect Robert Streitz, as her retreat on the French Riviera. Throughout her time at La Pausa she decorated and remodelled the home in her distinctive, restrained style. Wendy and Emery Reves purchased the Villa La Pausa in 1953 from the fashion icon Gabrielle Coco Chanel, and retained the majority of furnishings, souvenirs, and books owned by the acclaimed fashion designer. The Mediterranean villa was originally built in 1927 by architect Robert Streitz under the direction of Chanel. Throughout her time at La Pausa, she decorated and remodelled the home with austere style, including 16th- and 17th-century furniture from the Duke of Westminster s collection. Along with the furnishings, new owners Wendy and Emery Reves acquired Chanel s personal library, which included numerous novels by contemporary writers of the time and some first editions by her friends, among them Jean Cocteau. The Reves continued to fill their home with their private art collection of impressionist, post-impressionist, and modern works (including Paul Cezanne, Vincent Van Gogh, Edouard Manet, Honore Daumier, Auguste Rodin). In 1983 the whole collection was donated to Dallas Museum of Art. This is a fascinating insight into both a remarkable art collection and a remarkable house - Winston Churchill was a frequent guest after the Second World War. Moreover La Pausa has just been acquired by the House of Chanel, with plans to restore it to its original decor and spirit.

The story of a bittersweet, impromptu art exhibition for President and Mrs. Kennedy The events associated with John F. Kennedy’s death are etched into our nation’s memory. This fascinating book tells a less familiar part of the story, about a special art exhibition organized by a group of Fort Worth citizens. On November 21, 1963, the Kennedys arrived in Fort Worth around midnight, making their way to Suite 850 of the Hotel Texas. There, installed in their honor, was an intimate exhibition that included works by Monet, Van Gogh, Marin, Eakins, Feininger, and Picasso. Due to the late hour, it was not until the following morning that the couple viewed the exhibition and phoned one of the principal organizers, Ruth Carter Johnson, to offer thanks. Mrs. Kennedy indicated that she wished she could stay longer to admire the beautiful works. The couple was due to depart for Dallas, and the rest is history.This volume reunites the works in this exhibition for the first time and features some previously unpublished images of the hotel room. Essays examine this exhibition from several angles: anecdotal, analytical, cultural, and historical, and include discussions of what the local citizens wished to convey to their distinguished viewers.Distributed for the Dallas Museum of Art and Amon Carter Museum of American ArtExhibition Schedule:Dallas Museum of Art(05/26/13–09/15/13)Amon Carter Museum of American Art(10/12/13–01/12/14)