In 1920, Ima Hogg began an extensive collection of art and antiques that would chronicle America's tastes, styles and customs from colonial times to the Victorian era. Miss Hogg continued to acquire works for her Houston home, Bayou Bend, until her death in 1975. This book documents the collection, which is now owned and operated by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, recording over 1100 examples of furniture, paintings and decorative arts, including many key pieces acquired since Miss Hogg's death. The furniture collection features important high-style examples from America's principal urban centres. Paintings by such artists as John Smibert, John Singleton Copley, Charles Willson Peale and Gilbert Stuart are also included.