Rogier Van Der Weyden: The Complete Works [Hardcover]

Dirk De Vos (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This large and beautiful book reflects the careful scholarship and exhaustive research of De Vos, curator at the Groeningemuseum in Bruges. His comprehensive work details virtually everything currently known about the life and work of the 15th-century Flemish painter Rogier van der Weyden. In addition to historical summaries and discussions of scholarly issues raised by the study of van der Weyden's work, a catalog of all paintings currently attributed to him is provided. Full-page and detail illustrations and information on technical aspects, provenance, exhibitions, and published literature are provided for each painting. The historical and issue chapters are organized so that there is some repetition of topics, and the translation results at times in somewhat awkward prose. However, this work will be useful to both scholars and interested general readers for its comprehensiveness, currency, and visual beauty.
-Kathryn Wekselman, Univ. of Cincinnati Lib.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

Flemish painter Rogier van der Weyden (c. 1400- 1464) was one of the most influential artists of the Northern Renaissance. With his dramatic tableaux and austere, almost sculptural figures, van der Weyden achieved an unprecedented emotional clarity in both his religious paintings and secular portraits. This sumptuously produced and gorgeously illustrated book is the first comprehensive study of van der Weyden's work in 25 years. Synthesizing the latest scholarship and reproducing every known painting as well as hundreds of details and comparative works, it will become the standard reference on the artist for decades to come. 500 illustrations, 350 in full color, 1011/4 x 1333/8 " DIRK DE VOS is curator of the Groeningemuseum in Bruges, Belgium, and a specialist in Flemish painting of the 15th and early 16th centuries.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Harry N Abrams; First Edition edition (April 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810963906
• ISBN-13: 978-0810963900
• Product Dimensions: 13.2 x 10.1 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,673,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tour de Force, April 16, 2000

By 

Walter Fekula (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rogier Van Der Weyden: The Complete Works (Hardcover)

This book is an absolute must for anyone who has any interest in the culture of the western hemisphere. Van der Weyden was a key to the development of Northern Renaissance art of the early 15th Century, following Campin and Van Eyck and preceding van der Goes, Memling and Christus . This book is a tour de force capturing the magnificent paintigs of the artist in stunning detail. This easily is the best book ever published on this very important artist and will rank as one of the best books ever published on any artist. The author , Dirk de Voss, the curator of the Groeningsmuseum in Bruges, has written a scholarly, readable text. Buy it before it goes out of print. You will not regret it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A definitive study, October 15, 2000

By 

Mr David. R. Watson (Ingatestone, Essex England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rogier Van Der Weyden: The Complete Works (Hardcover)

Like others who have reviewed this book I feel that no praise is high enough. Yes the book is expensive, but it seems less so when you consdier that no fewer than twenty-five years of the author's life have gone into the scholarship here contained. The essays are excellent, based on sound argument and the latest technical and stylistic scholarship; particularly convincing is De Vos's account of the vexed question of the "Master of Flemmale". Anyone who has an interest in the development of Western Art would do well to read this book which places Van der Weyden right back where he belongs, as one of the most important painters in the western cannon.

The layout is excellent and the large format makes the reproductions vibrant and true.

As an example of a single artist study this volume is hard to fault. It sent me back to the originals in Berlin, Munich etc. with a clearer sense of Van de Weyden's schievement.

If you can afford it and this art is important to you then buy it.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars truly exquisite!, February 10, 2000

By 

Lia Matera (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rogier Van Der Weyden: The Complete Works (Hardcover)

If you are wondering whether this book is worth the price, rest assured that it is if anything a bargain! It contains more color plates than any art book purchaser could reasonably expect, and the colors absolutely leap from the pages, they are so vibrant and true. This is a huge and meticulous book, well written and well presented, with full color details as well as reproductions of all Van Der Weyden's work, along with many works by painters who influenced or copied him. The book has very large pages, which really do justice to the fineness of Van Der Weyden's painting. The book is astonishing for its completeness and extraordinary beauty. It's downright breath-taking, and I recommend it without reservation.