El Greco (National Gallery Company)
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,Collections, Catalogs & Exhibitions
El Greco (National Gallery Company) Details
From Publishers Weekly This catalogue, published to accompany a large-scale exhibition of El Greco's work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery in London, presents a hearty portfolio of world-famous images alongside a comprehensive treatment of the artist's intellectual and religious foundations. Born Domenikos Theotokopoulos in Crete in 1541, El Greco moved to Venice in 1567, where he rapidly matured into one of the most daring artists of his time, known for his audacious color palette and ecstatic, elongated figures who often resemble rippling reflections in dark, cosmic waters. With his swooning, mystical compositions, El Greco remains a primary figure both in Renaissance painting and in the development of modern art, a favorite of such masters as Picasso and Cezanne. Treating the early stages of El Greco's work, as well as his lesser-known experiments in sculpture, this authoritative, comprehensive catalogue adds yet another chapter to the artist's permanent record as a looming figure in the history of western art. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Read more From the Publisher This book is the catalogue for an exhibition organized jointly by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the National Gallery, London. The exhibition opens in New York in October 2003, and moves to London in February 2004. Published by the National Gallery, London/Distributed by Yale University Press Read more See all Editorial Reviews
Reviews
Presumably, I was unable to be in NYC for this exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, co-sponsor with the National Gallery of London. It must have been breathtaking. Just a few months ago, I was able to see a much smaller exhibition at the Onassis Center, in the same city, far fewer pictures of much lesser size, with only a few oils. It packed an aesthetic and emotional impact that dwarfed most of the Salon and monumental pictures that are commonplace today.The reproductions leave no doubt that this was a Painter for the Ages, Master not only of the Expressionist style, which was of such crucial influence on modern art, but also of Naturalism (or Realism), a fact amply demonstrated in this catalogue. Many students of art will, no doubt, be surprised by this fact so well illustrated here. I am tempted to elucidate at length but words are of little worth compared to simply leafing through the pages of the book.Detailed discussions by first rate art historians are quite helpful in placing El Greco in time and place; detailed discussions of many paintings is even more useful, since it focuses our attention on the wonders of his art.It is regrettable that even the Bargain price is so high for a new copy of the book (though not relative to what substantial monographs run to these days); however, a used copy will serve one well. I have not seen the paper-bound edition from the same publisher, but, from the Amazon listing, that may be available at a truly bargain rate.This book is an essential addition to any sound art history library and a most gratifying experience for anyone who has a taste for fine art.