Auguste Racinet

Originally published in France between 1876 and 1888, Auguste Racinet’s Le Costume historique was the most wide-ranging and intelligent study of clothing ever published. Covering the world history of costume, dress, and style from antiquity through the end of the 19th century, the great work—“consolidated”in 1888 into 6 volumes containing nearly 500 plates — remains, to this day, completely unique in its scope and detail.

Originally published in France between 1876 and 1888, Auguste Racinet's Le Costume historique was the most wide-ranging and intelligent study of clothing ever published. Covering the world history of costume, dress, and style from antiquity through the end of the 19th century, the great work—"consolidated" in 1888 into 6 volumes containing nearly 500 plates—remains, to this day, completely unique in its scope and detail. Racinet's organization by culture and subject has been preserved in TASCHEN's magnificent reprint, as have excerpts from his delightful descriptions and often witty comments. Perusing these beautifully detailed and exquisitely colored illustrations, you'll discover everything from the garb of ancient Etruscans to traditional Eskimo attire to 19th century French women's couture. Though Racinet's study spans the globe from ancient times through his own, his focus is on European clothing from the Middle Ages to the 1880s and this subject is treated with exceeding passion and attention to detail. The Costume History is an absolutely invaluable reference for students, designers, artists, illustrators, and historians; it is also an immensely fascinating and inspirational book for anyone with an interest in clothing and style.

This amazing compilation of decorative motifs from around the world is unparalleled in its range of coverage with examples from early Greek, Roman and Egyptian designs through those of the 19th century. Geographically diverse, the book covers ornamentation from Asia and Africa as well as Europe and the Americas. Originally published in the 19th century in two volumes, this work by Auguste Racinet was an invaluable resource to artists, designers and architects when it was first published and continues to be so today. The period when Racinet's volumes were being published for the first time (1869 through 1887) saw a renewed interest in classicism and the decorative arts and Racinet's work was certainly influential. With 220 colour plates comprising over 1500 decorative motifs derived from illuminated manuscripts, jewellery, tiles, weaponry, wall painting and other sources, the book is not only inspirational, but also serves as both a visual reference of the motifs and an insight into the aesthetics of different cultures and periods. We are pleased to offer this opulent and beautifully colourful title in a combined single volume. A book that every graphic designer, architect, fashion designer or artist must have, it will also appeal to those interested in aesthetics and visual culture.