How to Read a Painting
Decoding, Understanding and Enjoying the Old Masters
Published on 6. December 2004
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-0-500-51200-5 (ISBN)
Description
Clues to the meaning of the masterpieces of art history lie in a rich system of symbols, themes and motifs that often elude the modern eye. Without the intimate knowledge of Greek and Roman mythology, folklore and Christian theology so vivid in the minds of the artists and familiar to their public, we often miss the visual hints that gave contemporary meaning to a painting.
How to Read a Painting draws our attention to the imagery and the wonderful, apparently inconsequential details in paintings by Giotto, Botticelli, El Greco, Michelangelo, Rubens, Vermeer, Hogarth, Gainsborough and many more. Brief yet illuminating explanations accompany over 900 colour illustrations, providing the means to interpret and enjoy these and many other works.
How to Read a Painting draws our attention to the imagery and the wonderful, apparently inconsequential details in paintings by Giotto, Botticelli, El Greco, Michelangelo, Rubens, Vermeer, Hogarth, Gainsborough and many more. Brief yet illuminating explanations accompany over 900 colour illustrations, providing the means to interpret and enjoy these and many other works.
Reviews / Votes
'Easy to follow and a delight to pore over' - Leisure Painter 'An interpretative and an explicatory tour de force ... ' - The ScotsmanMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
With over 900 colour illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 168 mm
Weight
1060 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-500-51200-5 (9780500512005)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Patrick de Rynck is a classicist and translator. He is the author of several books, including How to Read a Painting and Understanding Paintings, both published by Thames & Hudson.