Coinciding with the 1999 exhibitions of his paintings in Antwerp and London, Anthony van Dyck: 1599-1641 celebrates the 400th anniversary of the birth of the celebrated Flemish painter. Van Dyck is perhaps best known for his religious paintings, which are outstanding examples of the Baroque style, and he is also considered one of the greatest portrait painters in an age of exceptional portraitists. He revolutionized royal portraiture in England by introducing more dynamic compositions, often incorporating the dramatic presence of a draped curtain leading out into a natural vista and open skies. Born in Antwerp to a wealthy merchant family, van Dyck began to paint at the age of 10 and had already earned the privilege of studying with Peter Paul Rubens by the time he was a teenager. He shared a workshop with Jan Brueghel the Younger, and his contemporaries included Poussin, Lorrain, and Velázquez. Later he would become court painter for King James of England, as well as for Charles I, and he immortalized their key subjects during the charged era of the English Civil War. He had a special talent for depicting his regal subjects with a relaxed elegance not seen in the more formal portraiture that had preceded him. And his ability to paint sumptuous fabrics is almost unparalleled.

This large, stately, cloth-covered hardback contains over 100 of van Dyck's masterpieces, including rarely seen works. Its 359 pages are lavishly illustrated with quality full-color reproductions, including painting details and preliminary drawings. A chronology, descriptions of each work, and essays by prominent scholars in the field make this the most authoritative volume on the artist to date. --A.C. Smith


From Library Journal
An exhibition catalog marking the 400th anniversary of the Flemish artist's birth, this is the first substantial English-language treatment since the Washington exhibition in 1990. Curatorial authors cover the chronological and geographic span of Van Dyck's brief life in 90 pages of essays, from his birth in Antwerp to his study with Rubens, years in Genoa, return to Antwerp and religious painting, and final years as chronicler of the Stuart court of Charles I in England. The authors write briefly and accessibly but without breaking new ground. The bulk of the book is detailed entries, chronologically arranged, on the 100-plus pictures in the exhibition, held in London and Antwerp. There are a generous number of comparative illustrations, though the plates are rather harshly colored, and each entry has full scholarly apparatus. Overall, this is a good visual summary of Van Dyck's life and work for public and academic art history collections.AJack Perry Brown, Art Inst. of Chicago Lib. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
A beautiful and unprecedented catalogue published for the 400th anniversary of the birth of the prominent 17th century Flemish painter. Elegant and informal portraits, rare mythological and religious paintings, and many seldom-seen works from private collections. This landmark catalogue is published for the 400th anniversary of the birth of Anthony van Dyck, one of the most prominent Flemish painters of the 17th century. These 100 masterpieces showcase van Dyck's elegant and informal portraits, and his rare mythological and religious paintings--including many seldom-seen works from private noble collections, presented here in new photographs. Texts by the most prominent scholars in the field describe van Dyck's early years in Antwerp, when he trained in the studio of Peter Paul Rubens, his later life in Genoa and the influence of Titian's work on his color and composition, and his final years in London as Court Painter to Charles I. This beautiful and unprecedented catalogue--with superb color plates plus details and comparative illustrations, a chronology, and each work's detailed history--will be the last word on van Dyck for the next fifty years.



About the Author
Dr. Christopher Brown is a noted authority on Van Dyck. He is formerly of the National Gallery in London, and was recently appointed director of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.

ANNOTATION

1999 is the 400th anniversary of the birth of Anthony van Dyck, one of the most prominent Flemish painters of the 17th century. This catalogue accompanies a major exhibition of 100 masterpieces which showcases van Dyck's elegant and informal portraits as well as some of his great mythological and religious paintings, few of which survive.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This landmark catalogue is published for the 400th anniversary of the birth of Anthony van Dyck, one of the most celebrated Flemish painters of the 17th century. Coinciding with the major exhibition of Van Dyck's paintings at the Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp and the Royal Academy of Arts, London, this publication contains over 100 of Van Dyck's masterpieces, including many rarely seen works drawn from the British Royal Collection, private collections, and museums and churches in Europe and around the world. There are full-color comparative illustrations, a chronology, and a detailed description of each work. The most prominent scholars in the field discuss the development of Van Dyck's work, making this the most authoritative volume to be published on the artist.

SYNOPSIS

1999 is the 400th anniversary of the birth of Anthony van Dyck, one of the most prominent Flemish painters of the 17th century. This catalogue accompanies a major exhibition of 100 masterpieces which showcases van Dyck's elegant and informal portraits as well as some of his great mythological and religious paintings, few of which survive.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal