Rembrandt's rise coincided with the blossoming of the Dutch Golden Age, an era of prosperity in the Netherlands. He was encouraged by wealthy patrons, but was above all driven by a profound fascination with people. In this book, we tour some of Rembrandt's key paintings, etchings, and drawings to introduce his techniques, inspirations, and exceptional achievements. From the Baroque Belshazzar's Feast to the world-famous Night Watch we uncover a world of deep, rich tones, masterful draftsmanship, and a remarkable sensitivity for the human condition
In the work of Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851) lies an impact akin
to a sudden acquisition of sight. His landscapes and seascapes scorch the eye
with such ravishing light and color, with such elemental force, it is as if
the sun itself were gleaming out of the frame. Appropriately known as “the
painter of light”, Turner worked in print, watercolor, and oils to transform
landscape from serene contemplative scenes to pictures pulsating with life. He
anchored his work to the River Thames and to the sea, but in the historical
context of the Industrial Revolution, also integrated boats, trains, and other
markers of human activity, so as to juxtapose the thrust of civilisation
against the forces of nature. This book covers Turner's illustrious, wide-
ranging repertoire to introduce an artist who combined a traditional genre
with a radical modernism.
William Turner (1775-1851) was simultaneously a romantic and a realist--and yet he transcended both styles. This book opens up Turner's paintings, demonstrating that he was not simply illustrating nature, but that his pictures speak directly to the eye as nature does itself.
William Turner (1775-1851) was simultaneously a romantic and a realist--and yet he transcended both styles. This book opens up Turner's paintings, demonstrating that he was not simply illustrating nature, but that his pictures speak directly to the eye as nature does itself.
The mystery of the revealed A mirror of the artistic and intellectual developments of the 17th century Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1606–1669) was one of the most complex and multi–faceted artists of the 17th century. From his initial period in Leiden to his early and late phases in Amsterdam, the stages of Rembrandt’s career mirror the artistic and intellectual developments of the century. After breaking off his studies in Leiden, the young Rembrandt trained as a painter for two years and eventually established his own painting workshop. Characteristic of the Leiden period are his biblical histories, such as The Raising of Lazarus , but the roots of Rembrandt’s portraiture, nourished by his intensive studies of physiognomy, also are to be found in these same years. Later, in Amsterdam, the perfection of Rembrandt’s likenesses initially won him the favor of numerous patrons—but the artist soon surpassed their expectations. Transcending traditional modes of presentation, Rembrandt composed his portraits in the same manner in which he had earlier constructed his scenes. The results are visible, for example, in the famous group portrait The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp from 1632. In the last phase of Rembrandt’s work—when, plagued by financial problems, he had withdrawn into seclusion—it is no longer possible to distinguish between event paintings and portraits. About the Each book in TASCHEN’s Basic Art series
