Lives of the Great Makers by Rebecca Knott This fascinating, richly illustrated anthology of the lives and careers of some of the most accomplished craftspeople represented in the V&A’s collection celebrates the pinnacle of creative accomplishment. Their pioneering designs, techniques, and aesthetic flair resulted in masterpieces that changed the nature and direction of the decorative arts forever. Arranged chronologically from the Renaissance to today, this book contextualizes the makers’ biographies through thematic introductions to the history of the decorative arts.The book features forty illustrated biographies, ranging from furniture-makers such as Thomas Chippendale to wood-carvers such as Grinling Gibbons, and from textile artists including Gunta Stölzl to ceramicists such as Lucie Rie, alongside goldsmiths, enamelists, and many more.