Newcomb Pottery and Craftworks: Louisiana's Art Nouveau

In this comprehensive and authoritative history, the artistic legacy of Newcomb College comes to life. Decorated with stately magnolias, southern pines, and live oaks, the pieces produced by the women of Newcomb during the first half of the twentieth century represent some of New Orleans' most iconic and distinctive art. Established as an institution to foster financial independence for its female student body, Newcomb has turned out thousands of pieces of internationally celebrated pottery and other crafts. In new, gorgeous, full-color photography, this collection showcases the century-old heritage of Newcomb pottery, needlework, metal, leather crafts, jewelry, bookbinding, block printing, and calligraphy. Featuring a foreword by former New York Times art critic and Newcomb art student and director John Canaday, the volume details the biographies of the directors, ceramists, and craftsmen as it traces the history of the Newcomb arts movement. With the inclusion of the artisans' ciphers, the authors enable collectors to identify and authenticate Newcomb crafts. The legacy of the Newcomb art movement endures in this celebration of artistry, feminine ingenuity, and New Orleans history.

Decorated with moss-draped live oaks, Louisiana irises, and southern pines, the crafts created by the ladies of Newcomb College during the first half of the 20th century represent some of New Orleans' most iconic and distinctive art. Founded in 1887 as an institution to prepare women to be financially independent community leaders, Newcomb quickly earned international acclaim for the striking variety of pottery, calligraphy, and other crafts produced by the students of its celebrated art department. Accompanied by more than 300 photographs and illustrations, this elegant and detailed study provides a history of the artisans and the artworks that established the Newcomb movement as one of critical artistic importance.