This book, and the exhibition it accompanies, express the confidence that modern secular audiences can engage with the masterpieces of Christian art at an emotional as well as a purely aesthetic or historical level. Their aim is to help the viewer understand these pictures by focusing attention on the purpose for which they were made, and exploring why they might have meant to their original viewers.

The Image of Christ

Arts & Photography

Finaldi, Gabriele

Finaldi, Dr. Gabriele

Collections, Catalogs & Exhibitions

National Gallery London

Venice through Canaletto's Eyes (National Gallery London Publications)

This beautiful book takes the reader on a journey through Canaletto’s native Venice. Through a spectacular group of Canaletto’s masterpieces in the National Gallery collection and other works relating to them, the book explores the artist’s painting technique and his treatment of the topography of the city. Although Canaletto was considered an objective chronicler, the authors show that his painted views are not simply dispassionate records of buildings and scenes but altered and manipulated depictions that emphasize specific aspects or moods of the city.

Bomford, David

Chris Ofili 2017: Weaving Magic

Ofili, Chris

The National Gallery / Victoria Miro

The Image of Christ expresses the view that modern secular audiences can engage with the masterpieces of Christian art at an emotional as well as a purely aesthetic or historical level. This book aims to help the viewer understand these pictures by focusing attention on the purpose for which they were made, and explores what they might have meant to their original viewers. The authors trace how a recognizable image of Christ evolved, starting with the earliest symbols and metaphorical images such as the Sheperd, the Lamb and the Vine. They trace the emergence of a "true likeness," emphasizing the importance of the Veronica, the "miraculous portrait" said to have been imprinted on the cloth held out to Jesus on the way to Calvary. They describe how artists conveyed the paradox of Christ's dual nature—human and divine, weak and powerful, victim and victor—in portrayals of his infancy. They also show how images of Christ's suffering during the Passion were intended to convey a cosmic, not just a personal significance. Artists have attempted to put extremes of suffering and despair into an overal context of hope–a vein of hope that runs from the catacombs to Hiroshima and beyond. These are images that speak, even to those who do not hold Christian beliefs. Artists had to make it clear that in representing the life and death of Jesus they were offering a continuing truth; we the spectators have to become eyewitnesses to an event that matters to us now. As a result, the different moments and aspects of Christ's life become, in the hands of great artists, a reflection of all human experience. The Virgin nursing her son expresses the feelings of love every mother has for her child. Christ mocked in innocence beset by violence. Christ risen and appearing to Mary Magdalene is a universal reaffirmation that love cannot be destroyed by death. Beyond their obvious religious significance, these are paintings that have a universal meaning.

MacGregor, Neil

History & Criticism

The bravura Impressionist works of the premier Spanish painter of a century ago, showcased and explored in detail by an international team of renowned scholars Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida (1863–1923) was the leading Spanish painter of his day, world-famous when Picasso was still struggling to establish a name. This sumptuously illustrated book traces Sorolla’s career at home and abroad, focusing on more than 60 canvases. These include portraits, landscapes, the bathers and seascapes for which he is most famous, and genre scenes of Spanish life. His monumental early works established the artist’s reputation as an unflinching social realist. Sending pictures strategically to major exhibitions across Europe, Sorolla depicted peasants, fishermen, and sail-makers eking out meager existences; young women forced into prostitution; and naked, disabled orphans. Rarely had Impressionist technique been turned to such provocative ends. As Sorolla found a wealthy clientele toward the turn of the century, his focus turned to sun-drenched scenes of leisure and elegant sociability: beautiful women stroll in fashionable resorts and children gambol on the seashore. Here, leading scholars offer a contemporary assessment of his career and explore Sorolla’s relations with the most famous bravura painters of the day, including John Singer Sargent and the Swedish artist Anders Zorn. An illustrated chronology by Blanca Pons Sorolla, the artist’s great-granddaughter, provides additional information.

Sorolla: Spanish Master of Light

Riopelle, Christopher

Tostmann, Oliver

Gerard-Powell, Véronique

Thaidigsmann, Javier Barón

An exceptional introduction to European paintings from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century through one of the greatest collections in the world. This richly illustrated and beautifully designed book offers an ideal introduction to European painting from the 13th to the early 20th century. The National Gallery, London, houses one of the finest collections of Western European art in the world. Its extraordinary range includes exceptional paintings from medieval Europe through the early Renaissance and on to Post-Impressionism, including masterpieces by Leonardo, Hans Holbein, Titian, Velázquez, Rembrandt, Turner, Monet, and Van Gogh. This volume showcases more than 250 of the Gallery’s most treasured pictures, providing an opportunity to make connections across this uniquely representative collection. Paintings are accompanied by numerous details, as well as brief and illuminating texts, providing an informative and visually rich survey of hundreds of years of European painting.

The National Gallery: Masterpieces of Painting

Exploring the life, imagery and lasting appeal of Saint Francis of Assisi (1182–1226), this landmark book features a core of important historic paintings representing the saint by Giotto, Sassetta, Caravaggio, Zurbarán and El Greco. From his native Umbria, Saint Francis’s image spread rapidly to become a global phenomenon and a continuous source of artistic fascination. His commitment to the poor, powerful appeals for peace, openness to dialogue with other religions and embryonic environmentalism radically impacted the Church and society of his time, and still hold great interest today.\nSpanning seven centuries and ranging from the earliest, relic-like objects to contemporary art in a variety of media, including works by Antony Gormley, Giuseppe Penone and a new commission from Richard Long, Saint Francis of Assisi reflects on the lasting legacy of Saint Francis – an inherently modern figure who retains a universal appeal.\nPublished by National Gallery Global/Distributed by Yale University Press\nExhibition Schedule: The National Gallery, London, 6 May–30 July 2023

Saint Francis of Assisi

Joustra, Joost

Religion & Spirituality

Orazio Gentileschi (1563-1639) was one the most internationally successful painters of the 17th century. In 1626 he travelled to London to enter the service of Charles I, a remarkable collector and patron who was keen to adorn his court with distinguished artists. This book, focusing on the years he spent working for the English Court, contains research and a full account of his artistic activities while in England. While "Picture Maker to His Majesty", Gentileschi painted some of his grandest and most luminous pictures, including "Joseph and Potiphar's Wife", "Lot and his Daughters" and two versions of the "Finding Moses" - for Charles I and Philip IV of Spain. Several of these canvases hung in the Queen's House at Greenwich, the beautiful Italianate villa built by Inigo Jones, where Gentileschi also painted a sumptuous ceiling showing "An Allegory of Peace and the Arts". Here, three essays explore the achievements of Gentileschi's English years. Gabriele Finaldi discusses the artist's work for the King and Queen; Aidan Weston-Lewis examines his two versions of "The Finding of Moses"; and Ana Sanchez-Lassa de los Santos discusses technical aspects of Gentileschi's English paintings.

Orazio Gentileschi at the Court of Charles I

Weston-Lewis, Aidan

Sanchez-Lassa de los Santos, Ana

Yale University Press

Zurbarán. Las doce tribus de Israel (Spanish Edition)

Navarrete Prieto, Benito

Painting

Museo Nacional Del Prado

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