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The Gallery Companion - Understanding Western Art (Paperback) Loot Price: R266
Discovery Miles 2 660
You Save: R57 (18%)
The Gallery Companion - Understanding Western Art (Paperback): Marcus Lodwick

The Gallery Companion - Understanding Western Art (Paperback)

Marcus Lodwick

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List price R323 Loot Price R266 Discovery Miles 2 660 You Save R57 (18%)

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The title is perhaps a little misleading: this is not so much a book to carry around with you to art galleries, as one to browse through at home in order to learn something about the myths and symbols artists have used through the ages when depicting mythical scenes. It lists mythological figures in alphabetical order - first the classical ones, from Achilles and Actaeon to Vulcan and Zephyr, and then the Biblical ones from Abraham and Adam to St Ursula and Zachariah; there are naturally two large sections dealing with pictures of Christ and the Virgin. Each entry is illustrated with paintings from the world's galleries, while the text tells the character's story, lists their attributes and says where other major paintings of them are to be found. So look up Venus, for instance, and you find her legend as told by Homer, the fact that generations of artists have painted her mainly as she rose from the sea new-born or at her toilet, and that the most important paintings of her are by Botticelli (Uffizi, Florence), Velasquez (National Gallery, London), Titian (Borghese, Rome) and the lesser-known Cabanal, whose ?Birth of Venus' is in the Louvre. Slightly unexpected choices such as that of Cabanal are one of the enjoyable features of this book. The editor also notes that pairs of Venus are not uncommon - a naked Venus having a good time who represents Profane Love, and a fully draped Venus rather disapproving of the goings on who represents Sacred Love. The choice of illustrations is always sound and sometimes pleasantly surprising and the colour reproduction good, while the often witty text is based on firm classical and Biblical knowledge. This book is useful not only to those setting out to appreciate art, but to those whose interest is already keen. (Kirkus UK)
'Every picture tells a story' - but for many of us the subjects and themes of the great paintings of Western art are something of a mystery. The Gallery Companion unravels the legends behind many of the most popular and frequently painted figures and explains their symbolism, which is all too often overlooked or misunderstood. What is the Judgment of Paris? Why does St Catherine have a wheel by her side, and St Jerome a lion? Who was crucified upside down? Written in a lively and engaging style, The Gallery Companion includes a Classical section, detailing the characters from the myths and histories of ancient Greece and Rome, and a Biblical and Religious section, describing the figures from the Old and New Testaments as well as later saints. The text supplies the background to the character, lists the most famous paintings that depict him or her, and details the events shown. Other facts, such as why that particular subject was in vogue, are also included, as well as variations and discrepancies between treatments of the same subject matter. Drawing upon the art of the last 800 years, with descriptions of over 150 characters commonly represented in murals and on canvas, The Gallery Companion is a beautifully illustrated guide to many of the most important subjects in painting. It will be indispensable to all those seeking to enhance their understanding and enjoyment of Western art.

General

Imprint: Thames and Hudson
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Release date: April 2002
First published: 2002
Authors: Marcus Lodwick
Dimensions: 190 x 127 x 21mm (L x W x T)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 224
ISBN-13: 978-0-500-28358-5
Categories: Books > Arts & Architecture > History of art / art & design styles > Art styles not limited by date > General
Books > Arts & Architecture > Art forms, treatments & subjects > Painting & paintings > General
Books > Arts & Architecture > Art forms, treatments & subjects > Art treatments & subjects > General
Books > Reference & Interdisciplinary > Encyclopaedias & reference works > Reference works > General
LSN: 0-500-28358-3
Barcode: 9780500283585

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