The Princess and the Painter [Hardcover]

Jane Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1994 | Age Level: 6 and up

Infanta Margarita sometimes gets tired of being a princess and always having to act like a princess, but the artist Don Diego Vela+a7zquez, who is painting her into his masterpiece, has a wonderful surprise for her.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In an impressive stretch, Johnson (Grandma's Bill) places her work in the style-and formidable shadow of-Diego Velazquez. The figures from Las Meninas, the 1656 painting of the five-year-old Infanta Margarita and her courtiers, people this bittersweet musing about the Spanish princess's friendship with the artist. "'Today Don Diego will finish his painting. I shall see it at last!' The Infanta Margarita bounced on her bed with delight." The princess's day is one of stiff clothes and dignified behavior, but when she finally sees Las Meninas and finds herself the main subject, she and Don Diego hug-a rare taste of affection for the lonely princess. Testifying to the inspirational power of art, Johnson's imaginings may entice children to think more deeply about the individual works they encounter. But the style of the somber Spanish master is an unlikely choice for sparking the interest of the picture book set. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3?Johnson has created a story from one of the most famous paintings of the 17th century, Velazquez's Las Meninas. Her full-and double-page illustrations imposed with brief text bring readers into the rooms and gardens of the palace as the young Infanta Margarita, full of charm and childlike impatience, hurries through her day in anticipation of seeing the much-loved court painter and his newly completed work. The princess seems to step from Velazquez's masterpiece, as do her ladies-in-waiting, her royal parents, governess, the court dwarves, a handsome dog and, above all, the painter himself. Johnson's skill in capturing each character as Velazquez portrayed them, her research into the dress and furnishings of the period, and the careful depiction of the formidably structured daily life of the court inform readers both of the making of the great work and of the life of the ruling class in Spain's greatest age. Ruth Craft's Pieter Brueghel's The Fair (Lippincott, 1976; o.p.), Ewa Zadrzynska's Girl with a Watering Can (Chameleon, 1990), and Sharon Wooding's The Painter's Cat (Putnam, 1994) are also based on specific paintings, but none of them succeeds as well as this charming offering. A delightful glimpse of a vanished world and an introduction to one of history's greatest artists.?Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux (J); 1st edition (October 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374361185
• ISBN-13: 978-0374361181
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,183,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for introducing girls to masterpiece painting, December 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Princess and the Painter (Hardcover)

Despite what the reviewer says, the book has great depth to which our 4-5 year old daughter relates well. Getting dressed and washed makes the princess feel "hot and cross." She dumps a "huge mound of sugar" on top of her breakfast. She tries to act grownup at a banquet and hopes her important parents will notice her. The illustrations are marvelous and richly show off historical elements of the time. Our family hopes that Johnson will do another book in a similar vein. We would order a copy as a birthday present for every girl that would like to be a princess.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous illustrations!, September 1, 2000

By 

Rebecca Johnson (Sharpsburg, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Princess and the Painter (Hardcover)

This story is based the on the painting "Las Meninas" by artist Diego Velazquez. The story tells a "what might have been" story about the characters shown in the painting, specifically the young Infanta Margarita and her friendship with the artist. The story is short, simple, but very charming.

All that said, the illustrations make this book! I am an acknowledged sucker for beautifully illustrated children's books, and this one definitely delivers. A charming story becomes truly captivating through the beautiful paintings!