Photographer William Curtis Rolf

Photographer William Curtis Rolf to Speak on The Stable: Unsung Glory of British Architecture

The lecture was part of the Library’s Saturday Public Lecture series. Made possible by the generosity of an anonymous supporter, this series features talks and an annual symposium on subjects relating to the Library’s collections of equestrian sporting books and art.

Rolf’s life-long affection for the lifestyles of 17th through 19th century England and France, combined with his love of all things equestrian, bring a sense of elegance and gentility to his photographic imagery. In 2005, Rolf collaborated with architectural historian, Giles Worsley, on the The British Stable, published by Yale University Press for the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art. Rolf’s captivating color and black-and-white photographs document stables from the twelfth century through 1914, with special attention to country house stables—including those at Chatsworth and Kedleston. Rolf also photographed historic French stables for Les Écuries des Châteaux Français [The Stables of French Country Houses] for a volume written byPascal Liévaux.

Rolf graduated in English Literature from UCLA and in Photography from Art Center College of Design. In addition to photographing at locations throughout the world and making fine art edition prints found in collections and exhibited in museums and galleries in the US, England, and France, his commercial clients include: Ralph Lauren, HSBC Bank, Foster Farms, Anthropologie, E & J Gallo Winery, Chandon Vineyards, and Newsweek. He currently resides in the San Francisco Bay area. To see examples of Rolf’s photography, visit www.williamcurtisrolf.com.

A few signed copies of The British Stable from the event are available for sale from Stoutamyer Fine Books at 12 E. Washington St., #12-E, Middleburg, Virginia or by calling 540-687-6766.