The Louvre: Fifty Plates in Colour

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

63719

Title

The Louvre: Fifty Plates in Colour

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume offers a systematic study of the Louvre's collection, organizing masterpieces by country, school, and period from the 14th to 19th centuries. It challenges official attributions, particularly for Italian works, favoring modern critical scholarship over museum catalogues. The book presents fifty color plates with detailed descriptions, technical notes, and historical context, serving as an essential guide for art students and enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive understanding of the museum's holdings.

Summary up to 500 words

The Louvre: Fifty Plates in Colour offers a comprehensive, systematic survey of the museum's artistic treasures, spanning from the 14th to the 19th centuries. Authors Paul G. Konody and Maurice W. Brockwell organize the collection not strictly by chronology, but by country, school, and period to facilitate a deeper study of the great national collection. A defining feature of the volume is its critical approach; the authors frequently reject official Louvre attributions in favor of modern scholarship, heavily relying on the work of Bernard Berenson. They advocate for the use of names recognized by contemporary critics rather than those in official catalogues, such as preferring Titian over Vecelli or Raphael over Santi. The text provides a detailed evolution of Venetian art, tracing the shift from Byzantine influences to the colorist traditions of the Bellini school. It highlights the works of masters like Jacopo and Giovanni Bellini, Alvise Vivarini, Carlo Crivelli, and Lorenzo Lotto, while also examining the transformative impact of Antonello da Messina on Italian oil painting. The Dutch section explores the rise of genre painting, showcasing the meticulous detail of Gerard Dou, the conversational elegance of Gerard Terborch, and the rustic interiors of Adriaen van Ostade. The authors also address the decline of Dutch art in the late 17th century and the rise of portrait painters. Beyond critical analysis, the book serves as a practical guide, providing specific technical details regarding dimensions, medium, and dimensions for the artworks. It includes essential visitor information, such as the Louvre's opening hours and specific access times for rooms containing French and Flemish pictures. By focusing on the artists and their schools, the volume aims to educate readers on the nuances of the collection, offering descriptive titles and correcting historical inaccuracies found in earlier texts. Ultimately, the book stands as a thorough educational resource for those wishing to understand the Louvre's holdings in depth, bridging the gap between official records and modern art historical understanding.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Travel
• Art