Vermeer (Paperback)

by Lawrence Gowing (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Brilliant analysis. . . . Must surely rank as one of the most profound interpretations of a painter ever written." -- Burlington Magazine

"It is, as we would expect, a painter's approach, but it is widened by the recognition that any artist's work is governed by the psychological nature of the artist himself. . . . A piece of first-rate scholarship and aesthetic understanding." -- Apollo

"Widely regarded as the most perceptive study of the painter." -- New York Review of Books

Product Description
Lawrence Gowing's classic study has long been treasured for the painterly sensibilities he brought to this greatly loved body of work. Finally the text is available again, with a new foreword and fresh reproductions of Vermeer's paintings.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (December 5, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520212762
• ISBN-13: 978-0520212763
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #766,728 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the Book Jacket, April 23, 2005

By	Cynthia Yount "retiredcatlady" (La Verne, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Vermeer: The Complete Paintings by the Master of Light (Master Artists Library) (Hardcover)

While only 35 paintings can be ascribed to Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675), he is considered one of the most important painters in history. Vermeer captured the subtle depth of his subjects while in private contemplations, and recorded the delicacy of light and richness of color in a way that has probably never been surprised.

This luscious volume, with over 80 illustrations-including 54 full-color plates-presents Vermeer's complete illustrious works. From his much-loved Girl With A Pearl Earring to his cityscape The View of Delft (which Marcel Proust lauded as `the most beautiful painting the world'), you'll find them all here and be astounded by Vermeer's innovative technique and mastery of perspective and composition. As a supplement to Vermeer's magnificent works, art historian Dr. Erik Larsen provides an authoritative study of the artist's life and art, and the much-discussed debate surrounding the attribution of his paintings.

Vermeer, one of the first four titles in the Master Artists Library series, is the first series to include magnificent color reproductions of every painting by the featured artist. Written by some of the world's most important art historians, each volume includes a detailed analysis of the artist's paintings, along with an extensive biography. The first four books-Vermeer, Bosch, Masaccio, and Dûrer-are must-have additions to the bookshelves of all art love

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps not the ideal number of stars, but for crying out loud!, October 25, 2007

By	Kellie Hall "mrs.hill" (durham, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Perhaps I would not have been so disappointed had the other reviewer not produced such a glowing description of color plates and lucious images, but I just bought it new from amazon, and the book has 8 (count them, 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8) color plates- all of the rest are black and white. It looks like it will be interesting reading, and there are some lovely details in black and white, but this is an art book- on Vermeer, no less! There should be more color, certainly.