Rubens
Ghent: Snoeck, 2004. Hardcover. Color illus. paper-covered boards; Color illus. dj.; 320 pp.; Profusely illustrated with color and bw plates and figures. VG/VG. Item #117455
ISBN: 9789053495001
Text in English; Accompanied an exhibition held at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Lille; 163 works shown with extensive annotations; Beautifully illustrated! Contents as follows: Introduction / Arnauld Brejon de Lavergnee -- The earliest works and the trip to Italy -- Rubens' commissions for the middle class -- profane painting -- Rubens' commissions for princes and nobles -- Rubens' commissions from the clergy -- religious art -- Rubens and the art of tapestry. A simple mission lies at the heart of this book: to give the most complete picture of the great Flemish master as possible. No fewer than 163 paintings, sketches, and drawings by the artist, plus nine tapestries, are put to this worthy task. A faithful, objective understanding of Rubens arises, from his beginnings under the influence of his master Otto Venius and Italian art, right through to the end of his career, when he basked in a major Spanish commission. Rubens is at home in all genres, and all are represented here: from landscapes to portraits, from altarpieces to genre scenes, and historical paintings too, of course. Even the talents of the decorator are revealed in his painted sketches, drawings, and tapestries. For this publication, the master's oeuvre is divided into five groupings: Rubens' Beginnings, Rubens and Italy, The Middle-Class Patron, Official Commissions, and Secular Subject Matter. Through the inclusion of tapestries, particular attention is paid to the genesis of his art. Works such as Descent from the Cross, Laying in the Sepulchre, The Stoning of Saint Stephen, and three altarpieces created for the city of Lille's churches and convents are included. From this impressive homage to Rubens, the general reader, connoisseur, and historian will all hopefully come to know Rubens better, and also be stimulated by the juxtaposition of works never presented in this way before.
OCLC: 56498369
Price: $29.97