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Rating: 
Summary: Gorgeous piece of art history that transcends the ordinary
Review: "Durer to Veronese" is a gorgeous piece of art history that transcends the ordinary. This work is a departure from the usual dry discussion of art history interspersed with small black-and-white photos. At the same time however, it offers so much more than the typical narrow view of the exhibit catalog. Using the National Gallery's (London) collection of sixteenth century paintings, this book offers a thematic arrangement as it explores the various themes (eg "Private Devotion") and methods (eg "Preparing the Panel"). Each theme is lavishly illustrated with the Gallery's collection and several are accompanied by artists' sketches and closeups of important sections of the paintings. The text is well-written and easily digested by the neophyte art historian. A series of maps showing the sixteenth century European art world and an in-depth timeline for the century are presented at the beginning of the book and serve the reader well throughout the reading of the text. The physical properties of the book are impressive as well. It is an oversized book, but not to a point of being unwieldy and the binding is quite sturdy as well. A beautiful work. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous piece of art history that transcends the ordinary
Review: "Durer to Veronese" is a gorgeous piece of art history that transcends the ordinary. This work is a departure from the usual dry discussion of art history interspersed with small black-and-white photos. At the same time however, it offers so much more than the typical narrow view of the exhibit catalog. Using the National Gallery's (London) collection of sixteenth century paintings, this book offers a thematic arrangement as it explores the various themes (eg "Private Devotion") and methods (eg "Preparing the Panel"). Each theme is lavishly illustrated with the Gallery's collection and several are accompanied by artists' sketches and closeups of important sections of the paintings. The text is well-written and easily digested by the neophyte art historian. A series of maps showing the sixteenth century European art world and an in-depth timeline for the century are presented at the beginning of the book and serve the reader well throughout the reading of the text. The physical properties of the book are impressive as well. It is an oversized book, but not to a point of being unwieldy and the binding is quite sturdy as well. A beautiful work. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A necessary volume
Review: As a student of Art History I utilise very many volumes and this one rates highly in my opinon. It is not only easy to use, but it also has the great advantage of explaining art historical details concisely and clearly so that anyone, however unused to art they are, can enjoy and understand what is being said. This book surveys paintings, highlighting those in the National Gallery, London England, between the time of Durer and Veronese. It discusses their function, patrons and the way they were painted as well as having an excellent section devoted to their conservation and restoration. Apart from being informative, this volume is also very well illustrated and its layout means it can be dipped into and read in sections without the reader loosing the plot. Though it is large, it is not imposing and is the type of book that will definitely become a must have classic for all levels of scholar. If you want a book that covers the 16th century in art in a detailed, concise yet informative way, there is no better on the market at the moment and this one will take some beating. It has the right mix of everything, and is a very necessary volume.
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