Friday, July 13, 2018

an Ogden Codman Jr watercolor

While at the Met to see the Versailles exhibit, this framed watercolor caught my eye. The presentation drawing by architect Ogden Codman Jr. was for the bedroom of Louise Vanderbuilt's bedroom at Hyde Park in 1898.  I wish we made such evocative drawings for our clients still today; sketch up models cannot compete with the artistry of watercolor. 

Codman, of course, was the friend and co-author to Edith Wharton's 'The Decoration of Houses'. I think a monograph on this decorator's Architect is long overdue!
as always - click on the image to see in greater detail

3 comments:

John J. Tackett said...

If you haven’t already, walk by Ogden Codman Jr.’s own townhouse at 7 East 96th Street sometime. It is so handsome.

Thombeau said...

Make that monograph happen!!

The Swan said...

Have you been to The Grange? Was there about 30 years ago, his family home where he was raised, a veritable lab of his style . Those Vanderbilt’s were amazing, though not Aristos...it was Alva who truly put them on the map architecturally. Both Ogden and Walter Gay... amazing though Ogden had that extra flourish which took him to greater heights.