John M. Hall was an architectural photographer for publications including New York Times Magazine, Elle Decor and Architectural Digest; he saw his work as "telling the story" of what architects built and his process was to "go from the overall to the the details," with a keen eye for the subtleties of line, form, light and shadow. Hall lived with art and design that reflected his refined sensibilities: simple, livable furniture by Eames, Knoll and Aalto, the clean lines and smooth surfaces of 1930s streamlined moderne lamps, china and glassware and minimalist works on paper by Robert Mangold and Richard Serra. Tucked into a small Manhattan apartment, Hall's collection shows the ease with which iconic 20th century designs were meant to be lived with.
Hall grew up in North Carolina and studied architecture at North Carolina State University; he was also a ballet dancer and moved to New York in the mid-1970s to study at the American Ballet Theater School. In 1977, Hall relocated to Paris and worked as a model. It was during this time that he developed an interest in black and white photography.
Thank God I missed post-modernism. I guess I'm just a classicist at heart.
—John M. Hall
His structural, classical style was informed by photographers such as André Kertész and Walker Evans. Hall returned to New York in 1981 and began his career as an architectural photographer, with a particular interest in private gardens, Greek Revival and Biedermeier. He approached capturing these spaces as making "something that is more than just a document, [but] something that is visually exciting."
The same is true of Hall's personal collection, with its attention to and exuberance for designs that are "clean and clear and simple as possible," while also still captivating. After Hall's passing in 2019, significant contributions from his collection were gifted to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Yale University Art Gallery and his alma mater's Gregg Museum of Art and Design; the present selection of works celebrates Hall's sophisticated and gracious eye for design.
I'm not a design historian. I'm attracted to objects because I find them interesting and, yes, beautiful. And that's where this 20th-century sensibility started for me. There's just something so right about it.
John M. Hall
An interview with Hall from the 1980s shows him on location photographing a home and sharing his philosophies on design, architecture and photography.
Liberty & Co. is a famed British retailer renowned for its distinctive fabric designs, furnishings, and its historic association with Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts movements. Founded in 1875 by Arthur Lasenby Liberty in London, the company quickly established itself as a purveyor of luxury goods and eclectic textiles that celebrated craftsmanship and global artistry.
Arthur Liberty initially opened the store with the vision of bringing exotic goods from the East to the Victorian market, selling imported silks, ornaments, and decorative objects. The business grew rapidly, and by the 1880s, Liberty began producing its own line of fabrics, often inspired by Japanese and Oriental aesthetics. These became a hallmark of the store's identity. Liberty textiles, characterized by intricate floral patterns and innovative use of color, gained international acclaim, and by the late 19th century, the brand had become synonymous with the Art Nouveau movement, so much so that in Italy, Art Nouveau was referred to as Stile Liberty.
During the Arts and Crafts movement, Liberty further expanded its influence by collaborating with leading designers of the era, such as Archibald Knox and William Morris. The company offered furniture, homewares, jewelry, and metalwork that reflected the movement's emphasis on high-quality craftsmanship and natural forms. This alignment with progressive design philosophies cemented Liberty's reputation as a trendsetter in British design. The store's iconic Tudor Revival building, completed in 1924 on Great Marlborough Street, became a landmark in London. With its timber-framed façade and rich interiors, the space perfectly encapsulated Liberty's aesthetic ethos.
Liberty & Co. has continued to evolve over the decades, adapting to contemporary tastes while preserving its heritage. Its signature floral and abstract prints remain highly sought after in fashion and interior design. Today, Liberty operates as both a retailer and a design brand, with its textiles featured in collaborations with major fashion houses and designers worldwide. The enduring appeal of Liberty lies in its commitment to artistry, craftsmanship, and the celebration of global influences, making it a beloved institution in the history of British design.
Auction Results Liberty & Co.
6: 43: 38
20|21 Art: Chicago Edition
11:00 am ct
