Henry Austin: In Every Variety of Architectural Style

A fresh look at the work of mid-19th century architect Henry Austin, this enjoyable, nicely illustrated volume focuses on his wide range of aesthetic styles and genres. Wellesley College art historian O'Gorman (Connecticut Valley Vernacular) begins with Austin's early work in Connecticut, and organizes his decade of work from 1840 to 1850 by purpose: domestic, ecclesiastical, and public/commercial buildings (a final chapter looks at later work). One of O'Gorman's themes is the inspirational role played by international literature and painting, with specific examples to illustrate: in one house, Austin ""touches on the nineteenth-century love... for Orientalism, that distortion of Eastern cultures that also found its way into the painting and literature of the period."" Austin's shifts in scale and aesthetic are marked with some bold entries; his public building work ""began with a bang... an Egyptian Revival gateway at the New Haven Burial Ground."" Though the overriding theme is nothing new-plenty of architects possess an eclectic style that changes with the times-O'Gorman's contention that Austin ""produced his own reflection on the culture of his era"" is well supported, with solid details and focus. 100 b/w illus, 32 color illus.