FROM REMBRANDT TO VERMEER
BERND WOLFGANG LINDEMANN Book Number: 72510 Product format: Paperback
Subtitled 'Civil Values in 17th Century Flemish and Dutch Painting, Masterpieces of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin'. Published to coincide with an exhibition of Flemish and Dutch paintings from the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, this catalogue is aimed, not at art experts, but at ordinary art lovers. They may all have heard of Rubens and Rembrandt but not everyone may be familiar with the fabulous diversity of painting arising from both these artists. On display in this impressive volume are the fabulous works of artists such as Gerard ter Borch, Gerard Dou, Nicolaes Maes and Jan Steen, as well as the formidable work of Joachim Anthonisz Wtewael, a major artist from Utrecht. Contrasted with the artwork produced during the same period of time by Spain, France and Italy, whose paintings clearly revealed the symbols of a civil or religious, rich landowning authority, forgetful of its mercantile origins, the Flemish and Dutch paintings depicted the interiors of ordinary homes and the chores of everyday bourgeois life. They produced masterpieces of art whose main subjects were captured with a veracity that would remain unequalled when compared with subsequent artistic styles. In these paintings, the woman played a twofold role, representing both the sweetness of hearth and home and at the same time temptation and sin, creating a gallery of female figures who would remain an important point of reference in the history of art. Works of art such as Portrait of a Genoese Noblewoman by Anton van Dyck, Girl Weighing Pearls and The Mother by Pieter de Hooch are examples of this. Equally trenchant and effective was the depiction of the activities that went on inside shops, and the labour of the artist in his studio. This is a summoning up of a chapter of history where all is remembered and nothing is considered minor or irrelevant. The book also showcases the genres of Landscape, Still Life, the Seaside and Animals. 149 softback pages 28.5cm x 25.5cm in glorious colour.
Published price: £30
Bibliophile price: £12.50
