Van Eyck (Chaucer Art) (Chaucer Library of Art) (Hardcover)

by Amanda Tomlinson (Author) "JAN VAN Eyck's reputation rests on the survival of a few signed and dated works, all executed within the last decade of his life..." (more)
Key Phrases: Philip the Good, Isabella of Portugal, The Turin-Milan Hours (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Jan van Eyck, the most famous and innovative Flemish painter of the 15th century, is thought to have been born in the village of Maaseyck in Limbourg around 1390 and died in Bruges in 1441. He served as court painter to two powerful patrons, first John of Bavaria, Count of Holland (1422-24) and then Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, for whom he undertook many secret diplomatic missions including visits to Spain and Portugal. Van Eyck has been credited with the invention of painting in oils and, although this is incorrect, there is no doubt that he perfected the technique. He used the oil medium to represent a variety of subjects in microscopic detail with striking realism; for example, he infused painted jewels and precious metals with a glowing inner light by means of subtle glazes. Scholars consider Jan van Eyck to be the single most influential Flemish painter of the northern Renaissance and one of the greatest masters of all time. Illustrated with many of van Eyck's finest works, this book ably proves this assertion.

About the Author
Amanda Tomlinson is an art book publisher and author of 'Medieval Face' published by the National Portrait Gallery.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Chaucer Press (April 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1904449344
• ISBN-13: 978-1904449348
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,151,033 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Great value, April 17, 2009

By	Digger Dan - See all my reviews

High quality reproductions, pertinent text and a very good introduction to the painter's works. I especially liked the many details provided from the Ghent altarpiece. Most enjoyable.

4.0 out of 5 stars Splendid reproductions, March 29, 2009

By	Wotangleich Tom (Fayetteville, AR USA) - See all my reviews

Given that there are some missing works, the book should be entitled "Van Eyck: The Collected Works;" however, given that the reproductions are most satisfying, I am more than willing to forgive the omissions. Text is succinct for each work, and details abound for works such as "The Ghent Altarpiece" and "The Arnolfini Portrait". If someone ever issues a thousand-page opus, this will be obsolete. As of right now, it is worth the price.

Also, one should note that the author has had a name change, sometimes appearing on other editions of this book as Amanda Simpson.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The Incomplete works of Jan Van Eyck, April 14, 2008

By	art obsessed (NY) - See all my reviews

While this book claims to be a complete catalogue of Van Eyck's works it leaves off several pieces including his two paintings at the met in New York and his painting of Saint Jerome in Detroit. In addition to leaving off works it includes works after Van Eyck while barely labeling them so. Don't buy this book, very disappointing.