Van Eyck to Gossaert: Towards a Northern Renaissance (The Future Fields Commission in Time-Based Media)

As stated in the previous review, this book has been published to accompany the exhibition "Jan Gossaert's Renaissance" held at the National Gallery between February and May 2011, featuring over 80 works by Gossaert as well as other important Northern Renaissance artists, the most celebrated being Albrecht Dürer; all of the paintings on display are beautifully reproduced within the pages of this beautifully reproduced catalogue, together with liner notes to accompany each of the paintings. Gossaert and his style were particularly important to the evolution of art in the Low Countries, as it was heavily influenced by the Italian artists and their style.A number of the paintings making up this exhibition were already in the National Gallery's existing collection, however others are on loan from other galleries located in Vienna, Madrid, Washington, and the Royal Collection, amongst others. Themes and influences are explored in this exhibition, such as Gossaert's interest in the Gothic tradition, mythological imagery, the Virgin and Child, and nudes of Adam and Eve. However amongst these themes explored in the pages of the book, one of the most significant aspect of the exhibition was Gossaerts approach and style of portraiture.In addition to the information about the paintings, the author of the book, Susan Frances Jones, has shown her knowledge of the subject and demonstrates this by writing in a clear, concise and informative approach without confusing the reader or by writing too much to confuse and detract the reader from the beauty of the works on display. As stated previously, the reproductions of the paintings is splendid, with accurate reproductions showing the beauty and sumptuousness of the works so that those who purchase this book will not feel misled and may actually feel pangs of regret at not having gone to see the exhibition when it was held for the sheer beauty, detail and skill that went into creating such masterpieces.A superb and worthy accompaniment to a splendid exhibition and an excellent introduction for those unaware of the splendour of Northern Renaissance painting. A beautiful coffee table book to own from cover to cover, well written without recourse to ramble, and complete with plentiful full colour, detailed illustrations. Highly recommended; in short, a wonderful and essential addition to the library of anyone appreciative of Renaissance art.

Although a little thinner than what I was expecting, this catalogue is a very fine introduction to the early Flemish Renaissance painting, specially the work of Jan Gossaert, whose painting I know not quite well, but in any case I love very much the few reproductions I have seen now and then. Not forgeting the Van Eyck's (and their workshop), of course, which I consider the top of the tops of early Flemish painting. The texts are luminous and help to understand better that period of history of european art, because the artists and their works are placed in context (in this case from the early Flemish primitifs to Brueghel).So in short I think this catalogue worths well a visit, therefore to be ordered by all those who, like me, didn't saw the exhibition, but love deeply the Renaissance art, whether it be Flemish or Italian, or German, or whatever.Seller service good and professional, in spite of a delay of deliver larger than what I expect. I even started the process of replacement of the item, but, in the very last minute, 4 days after the deadline, the postman arrived with the package...I'm very satisfied, highly recommend this catalogue to all Renaissance painting lovers, and I thank the seller and Amazon.uk for providing me such a treasure.

Excellent book with fab pictures.

This book is well worth the money. It is full of great information and makes viewing the original paintings even more interesting.

This book is the catalogue to the Van Eyck to Gossaert exhibition at the National Gallery. It is a first class exploration of the time from about 1430 to about 1530 when Netherlandish painting emerged as one of the most admired art forms in Europe. Having visited the exhibition, the book faithfully records all the beautiful paintings together with an explanatory narrative which seeks to shed more information in which they were seen and understood. The quality of the illustrations highlighting the rich and lustrous colours are excellent. There are valuable segments within the book containing an explanation not only on the techniques and language of oil painting but also on their production and marketing.The glory of the exhibition and indeed this book lies with the paintings of Van Eyck, van der Weyden, Gossaert and many others, including one by Pieter Bruegel the Elder - 'The Adoration of the Kings, ' which is quite magnificent.It is the perfect accompaniment to the exhibition and if you are unable to attend the next best thing to being there. Recommended.