Fabric of Vision [Paperback]

Anne Hollander (Author)

Book Description

Series: National Gallery London Publications | Publication Date: July 1, 2002

This beautifully illustrated and innovative book examines how artists have used clothing and drapery-real and imagined, sacred and secular-as elements in their paintings to give emphasis and emotional force to their figures. All kinds of draped cloth, from austere dress to billowing draperies, become in the hands of a gifted artist a dramatic and exciting means to ennoble and sanctify painted figures, to create sensual or erotic effects, and to add drama to narrative. Such was the impact of the artists' particular vision, that life often followed art, and the fashions of a particular era often reflect the pictorial creations of its greatest painters. In his portraits, Van Dyck, for example, created the elegant and aristocratic style which we associate with the court of King Charles I. Depictions of clothed and nude women from different periods show how the aesthetic distortions which governed the representation of women's fashions extended to the unclothed figure, which is similarly distorted according to current notions of beauty. To illustrate her theme, the author draws on works by artists over a span of six centuries -van der Weyden, Tintoretto, Van Dyck, Reynolds, Gainsborough, Delacroix, Friedrich, Tissot, Vuillard, and Picasso. Fashion plates, photographs, and even film stills are used to show how the issues raised by the depiction of drapery in paintings extend to other media in the modern period.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Accompanying an exhibition at London's National Gallery of Art in summer 2002, this volume by fashion historian Hollander (Sex and Suits) demonstrates how artists used garments and draperies as an expressive means in their paintings. Covering Western European art from the Renaissance to the 20th century, Hollander shows how fabric in art reflected each era's social preoccupations, fashions, and tastes. For example, in the 15th century, representations of draperies demonstrated a respect for the properties of the cloth itself, while in the 16th and 17th centuries, rich drapery became used as an emotive, dramatic element. By the early 19th century, dress reflected a new classical simplicity, and the suit became the staple item for men. From then on, women's dress would be more the focus of emotion and sexuality, until the 20th century, when clothing was subordinated altogether to color and forms on a flat surface. The text is illustrated by more than 140 beautiful full-color illustrations of works by such artists as Tintoretto, Van Dyck, Delacroix, and Picasso. Throughout, Hollander brings new insight into the fields of both art and costume history. Recommended for libraries that collect books on art and costume.
Sandra Rothenberg, Framingham State Coll. Lib., MA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

...[F]or anyone who likes to think about paintings...The writing is exceptionally deft...[For] novices and experts alike. -- Choice

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: National Gallery London (July 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300094191
• ISBN-13: 978-0300094190
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,522,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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