Fans of Art and Architecture you have got to see this 'beyond belief' home of the Gilded Age! 

I visited The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina for the first time and I was blown away!  It was amazing! 

                                      

G.W.Vanderbilt  by John Singer Sargent 

The Biltmore Estate was finished in 1895, by George Washington Vanderbilt III at the age of 34. From his inheritance he would set out to build the largest private home in the United States.  In many ways George Vanderbilt defined what Mark Twain would call the 'Gilded Age' of our country.

This is one of my favorite rooms in the Biltmore--out of the 250 of them!
It showcases Vanderbilt's passion for knowledge. There are more than 10,000 books
selected by him personally, attesting to the 1900 quote from a New York journalist
that Vanderbilt was "the best read man in the country".

   

 The Library's Pellegrini ceiling painting,

The Chariot of Aurora

came from the Pisani palace in Venice

Vanderbilt was a fascinating and eccentric character.  To say that he was a great collector of art is an understatement.  The collection he amassed is legendary.

I was able to see....

Six John Singer Sargent paintings, 

Two Renoir paintings, 

Works by Whistler, Monet, Boldini, Durer, 

Flemish 15th century tapestries and 

an incredible Italian ceiling painting by Pellegrini in the two story library.    Just incredible to see!

Edith Vanderbilt  by Giovanni Boldini

This portrait is a life-size, very striking, portrait, of Mrs.George Washington

 Vanderbilt hanging in the Biltmore near her husband's portrait.

The Biltmore House spiral staircase reaches four floors with 102 steps. 
Through its center is an iron chandelier with 72 lights.

The side porch view

Visiting the Biltmore in Spring

was beautiful!