Customer Reviews

Leonardo Da Vinci: 1452-1519: The Complete Paintings and Drawings (Taschen 25th Anniversary)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Taschen seems to be forging ahead in the publishing world with their off-beat, sometimes extreme, always interesting and esoteric attractively priced books. Leonardo is one of them. A large book, this is no bedside table read. The print quality is very good, and the larger than life pictures of Leonardo's paintings and drawings give you a real sense of the intricacy that went into his work, and lets you get a lot closer than you could today to his work if you wanted to see it live. The Mona Lisa is behind bullet proof glass, most of his notebooks in temperature controlled libraries far from prying hands and eyes.. so if you really want to get close, to see the brush-strokes and minute scrawls in his ink drawings, then this book is it.

For who is it? Anyone interested in beauty, in art and painting, as well as anyone interested in genius and the multifaceted Renaissance man. You'll need a sturdy coffee table or a large library to house it, but you won't be sorry you bought it.

I only gave it 4 stars because I really dislike the 25th anniversary badge that is going on all Taschen books of late.. Good for you that you've reached that milestone Taschen, but don't expect me to want to advertise it in my bookshelf. The book comes in a slip-case, and just as well because the Amazon.com packaging was really atrocious and the box arrived quite banged around. Their cost-cutting in packaging means that my slip case is totally destroyed on the top, but thankfully the book has managed to survive (mostly) unscathed. Amazon will be getting a stern letter from me about this..

If you don't know much about art but know what you like, this might be the sort of book for you. Leonardo's life is described in this basic biography, focusing on his famous works of art (finished and unfinished) and on his supporting works as well (sketches, architectural and mechanical ideas). The book is printed on glossy high grade magazine paper with color illustrations on almost every page. It brings the artist and his works to the reader in a presentation that caters to those who enjoy have an appriciation, though not an expertise, for art.

After a recent trip to Italy I scoured the museums there for some good books on the famous paintings I had just seen. All were much too expensive, given the value of the Euro versus the dollar. So I made a list of the books I liked and vowed to purchase them on Amazon when I returned home. This was one of those purchases.

The book is big (over a foot long, three thumbs thick) and heavy. You won't be taking this to the park to read. Great for a coffee table. There are a good mix of close-ups and detailed shots of Da Vinci's work. The text includes some good history of the works (why they were commissioned, some info about the subjects, etc.). It also showcases some of Leonardo's student's work, which they more or less copied from their teacher.

The book does include some detail about the work themselves and how the time in history impacted the works. My only regret (and why I didn't give it five stars) is that the book doesn't include more text about the details of the works themselves, ala "Da Vinci Code". For example, I'd love more explanation of the symmetry between certain figures or other curious features of Leonardo's work (why is that angelic figure holding its hand like a knife where John the Baptist's head should be in "Madonna of the Rocks"?)

Overall, worth the money for those that enjoy contemplating the works of this Master.

Some painting and drawing works are reproduced too dark with murky spots, where most details are indistinguishable. Additionally, the colors are distorted by a brownish (sepia) hue. So, on many dark works only basic elements are visible, e.g.: The Virgin of the Rocks on p. 28 and 31, Portrait of a Young Man on p. 48, The Last Supper on p. 53 as well as Burlington House Cartoon (too dark cartoon) on p. 60. Other works may also be affected. The Last Supper is divided between two pages connecting thru Christ's face, and a whole center of the fresco is sunk in a groove between the pages. The printing is good, and on good paper.

I'm going to buy shares in Taschen, I think...

I was pretty darn happy from the moment I pulled this book out of its slipcase. So many well-reproduced illustrations of Leonardo's paintings and drawings and really interesting text too. It's one of my favourite art books in my collection.

This book covers all paints from Leonardo and the codex drawings. The size of some paintings are so big and you coud examine the strokes of the brush in the painting. For me this is the big deal of the book. The size of the pictures and a great biografy of Leonardo from Frank Zollner. I think, in my opinion this is the best book about Leonardo on store.

EXCELLENT BOOK IN EXCELLENT PRICE!

Most of Leonardo's masterpieces in one book...

Anatomia, war machines, Art etc...

A comprehensive presentation, this book offers a full-perspective of daVinci's genius. The conceptual sketches allow insight into his far-sighted vision and untappable thinking process. The finished works demonstrate the highly disciplined deliberation of his messages. A work of art itself with color plates and text, the book is an item that can be enjoyed for everyday display as well as for lifelong reference.

Beautifully bound. A true quality collection of Da Vinci portraits. I purchased this as a gift for a friend and was extremely pleased when I received it--so was the recipient. This is an excellent addition to any library.

This book and the Italian TV series, The Life of Leonardo da Vinci, are the best productions about Leonardo ever. A perfect companion for his original writings compiled by Jean Paul Richter. I'm always appreciating the figures of this book over and over again.