Interior Illustrations

One of the downsides of interior design is that the fruits of a designer's labor are not always permanent. We are fortunate enough to be able to see paintings created by the Old Masters, sculptures by Rodin, and furniture by Thomas Chippendale. But how many rooms designed by Elsie de Wolfe are left for us to view? Or what about that fabulous Cole Porter apartment designed by Billy Baldwin? Of course, photographs are one way in which to immortalize these important rooms, but a more artistic (and charming) method is through painting these interiors. Interior illustrations and renderings have been a popular form of interior documentation through the centuries, and fortunately for us the internet (and design blogging) has introduced many people to this art form. Take for example Anne Harwell of Annechovie, a talented painter whose renderings have been scooped up by most of us (myself included!).

Many designers have chosen to have their work painted. Denning and Fourcade, the late legendary designers who embraced "le gôut Rothschild", had many of their homes captured in paintings. Designer David Easton and painter James Steinmeyer recently auctioned off the contents of their New York home Balderbrae, and included were interior paintings by Steinmeyer. And Charlotte Moss is a notable collector of interior paintings. Isn't it great that these artistic gems are just as popular as ever?

For posts on Jeremiah Goodman and his interior paintings, click here.



A painting of Robert Denning's Manhattan apartment (image courtesy of Doyle New York)


A rendering of Denning and Fourcade's Paris apartment (image courtesy of Doyle New York)


James Steinmeyer's painting of Balderbrae's porch, c. 1992 (image courtesy of Doyle New York)


James Steinmeyer's painting of the Leather Room, Chatsworth, c. 2004 (image courtesy of Doyle New York)


Here is an interior illustration in my collection. Unfortunately, I can't read the artist's name as it was faintly written in pencil.

Image at top: Another painting of Robert Denning's Manhattan apartment (image courtesy of Doyle New York)