Leonardo Da Vinci: The Complete Paintings and Drawings [Hardcover]

Frank Zollner (Author), Johannes Nathan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2003

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) possessed one of the greatest minds of all time; his importance and influence are inestimable. This XXL-format comprehensive survey is the most complete book ever made on the subject of this Italian painter, sculptor, architect, engineer, scientist and all-around genius. With huge, full-bleed details of Leonardo's masterworks, this highly original publication allows the reader to inspect the subtlest facets of his brushstrokes.

* Part I explores Leonardo's life and work in ten chapters, drawing upon his letters, contracts, diary entries, and writings. All of his paintings are presented and interpreted in depth, with The Annunciation and The Last Supper featured on large double-spreads.
* Part II comprises a catalogue raisonni of Leonardo's paintings, which covers all of his surviving and lost painted works and includes texts describing their states of preservation. Each and every painting that can be justifiably attributed to Leonardo is included here; thanks to new findings and scientific research, this is the first time his definitive painting oeuvre is being published.
* Part III contains an extensive catalogue of his drawings (numbering in the thousands, they cannot all be reproduced in one book); 663 are presented, arranged by category (architecture, technical, anatomical, figures, proportion, cartography, etc). Over half of the drawings included were provided by Windsor Castle, marking the first time that the Castle has allowed a publisher to reproduce so many of their drawings.

This sumptuous TASCHEN offering is the most thorough and beautifully produced Leonardo book ever published.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...the wealth of Leonardo's surviving drawings provide an extraordinary direct and intimate view of the artist's hand...." -- World of Interiors, London

"A scholarly work and a sensual delight...offering a moth's-eye-view and the ability to "enter" the works of art..." -- Associated Press, New York

"Sumptuously made and beautifully produced, is the most thorough Leonardo comprehensive survey ever published." -- Soloarte, London

"[N]o better catalogue raisonné of the paintings - scrupulous in every respect - it has no equal currently in print." -- Brian Sewell, The Evening Standard, London

"[S]tart making serious room on your bookshelf. The XXL tome features supersized blowups of Leonardo's works.... A truly sumptuous undertaking." -- artnet.com, New York

About the Author

Professor Frank Zollner wrote his doctoral theses on artistic and architectural theory (1987) and Leonardo da Vinci (1996). He has written numerous publications on the art and artistic theory of the Renaissance and on Paul Klee. Since 1996 he has been Professor of Renaissance and Modern Art at Leipzig University. He is also the author of Taschen's 1998 monograph on Leonardo da Vinci. Johannes Nathan studied art history at New York University (B.A.) and the Courtauld Institute of Art in London (M.A.), where he earned his Ph.D. in 1995 with a dissertation on the working methods of Leonardo da Vinci. He has taught New York University and at the University of Berne, Switzerland, where he is now directing the "artcampus" project. He is the author of a range of publications on the art of the Italian Renaissance, as well as on artists' working methods.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 600 pages
• Publisher: Taschen (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3822817341
• ISBN-13: 978-3822817346
• Product Dimensions: 20 x 13 x 3.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 20.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #761,207 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, July 29, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Leonardo Da Vinci: The Complete Paintings and Drawings (Hardcover)

Taschen has always done an amazing job on their high-end titles. They have, however, out done themselves on Leonardo Da Vinci. The book is huge, the binding and paper quality excellent. It is the reproductions though that are the most riveting. As mentioned in one of the above editorial reviews you can almost enter into the paintings, the detail is so close. I have spent hours looking into the works and find new detail each time I do. Highly recommended.

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Glorious Complilation Of The Master's Work!, November 14, 2003

By 

Jana L. Perskie "ceruleana" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leonardo Da Vinci: The Complete Paintings and Drawings (Hardcover)

Leonardo Da Vinci epitomized the Renaissance humanist ideal. He possessed one of the greatest minds of all times. Painter, sculptor, architect, engineer, scientist, Da Vinci personified creative genius and had an immeasurable effect on modern culture. This compilation of his work, probably the most complete collection ever made, is spectacular. The reproductions are riveting.

Taschen has reproduced here Leonardo Da Vinci's 34 paintings in glorious color. The paper quality is excellent as is the binding. From "The Last Supper" to the "Mona Lisa," the paintings' details, even Da Vinci's brushstrokes, are clearly visible and exquisite. This 700 page book measures 22" X 17" when open and many of the artist's masterworks are shown with full page or double page details.

Frank Zollner biographical text is beautifully written and the book's first ten chapters explore Da Vinci's life, with excerpts from his letters, contracts and diaries. His painting are also discussed and interpreted here. A complete catalogue of Leonardo's paintings is included in Part II. Da Vinci's extraordinary talent as a draftsman is documented in the six hundred and sixty-three drawings which are presented in Part III. The drawings are arranged by categories, i.e., figures, anatomy, architecture, etc. Johannes Nathan's has written excellent commentary on Da Vinci's drawings and the artist's sensitive lines, both fine and bold, are truly a feast for the eyes.

"Leonardo Da Vinci: The Complete Paintings and Drawings" is one of the most visually stunning books I have ever seen. This was a "must have/must own" item for me, and I have spent many leisurely hours reading, perusing and enjoying this phenomenal collection. I can't think of a better gift for anyone who admires this master's works. This is a very rare and special book.
JANA

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Gift, August 2, 2005

By 

J. Braiden "Artists" (Qld, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leonardo Da Vinci: The Complete Paintings and Drawings (Hardcover)

We saw this amazing book in Venice for 150 Euros but it was too heavy to take home in the plane. My husband really loved it. So when we got home I decided to get it for his birthday. The local bookshop had it for $A435 -too expensive. We then found a brand new copy for less than $A200, including freight, on Amazon. I was delighted and it arrived, as promised, ready to present to him on the morning of his birthday. He was really surprised and has been pouring over it ever since. Great book, great price and great service.