Leonardo da Vinci: Revised Edition [Paperback]

Kenneth Clark (Author), Martin Kemp (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1989

This is a personally compelling introduction to Leonardo's genius, a classic monograph of Leonardo's art and his development.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sir Kenneth Clark (1903-1983) was the premier art historian of his generation. During his career, he held a variety of positions, including fine arts curator at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford; director of the National Gallery; and Slade Professor of Fine Art at Oxford. In 1969, he presented the well-regarded television series, Civilisation: A Personal View. He was granted a life peerage in the same year. Martin Kemp is Emeritus Professor of History of the Art at Oxford University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 274 pages
• Publisher: Penguin; Revised edition (August 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140169822
• ISBN-13: 978-0140169829
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,581 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Renaissance

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best introduction to Leonardo & a compelling read, January 26, 2003

By 

Nom de Guerre "miraxterrick" (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leonardo da Vinci: Revised Edition (Paperback)

Kenneth Clark's book is probably the best available introduction to Leonardo da Vinci. It is both a good biography and an insightful analysis of Leonardo's art and artistic career. The text is appropriate for both laymen and students of art history. Clark's writing is concise and extremely engaging (to the point where I would recommend reading this book for fun), but it is also intelligent and very informative, with a clear thesis that ties the vast body of matieral covered together into an easily comprehensible package. This book is slightly out of date now, but Martin Kemp's introduction and revision help to ammend for that. I particularly recommend this most recent edition as it is well-illustrated.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece about a great master, January 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Leonardo da Vinci: Revised Edition (Paperback)

This is THE classic monograph on Leonardo da Vinci, written with grace, sensitivity, and an incomparable knowledge of Leonardo's surviving works. Those who have read Kenneth Clark's "Civilization," or seen the TV series which he narrated, already have experienced his wit and intelligence. Clark's "Leonardo" first came out in 1939, then was reissued in 1959 and 1967, with the author's revisions. Martin Kemp's new edition brings the bibliography up to date, expands the illustrations, and provides an informative evaluation of Clark's accomplishment. Kemp is currently the world's premier Leonardo scholar. The description posted for Clark's "Leonardo" describing the book as a DK edition is for a DIFFERENT Leonardo book, not for Kenneth Clark's "Leonardo," which is a Penguin publication. I hope my review will be linked to the correct page.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "CHILD'S BOOK"?, October 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Leonardo da Vinci: Revised Edition (Paperback)

This is the best book available in English on Leonardo da Vinci. True, the book was first published several decades ago, but the art historian Martin Kemp has added footnotes that bring the text up to date. Kenneth Clark made a tremendous contribution to the study of Leonardo da Vinci with this book - Science and Technology Museum notwithstanding!!!!