Review by Choice Review
For their recent, gorgeous Titian exhibition (a joint effort with the Prado Museum), the National Gallery, London, produced this gem of a catalog. Interestingly written, well-documented and beautifully illustrated essays update the scholarship on particular aspects of the life and work of Titian. These include a biography of Titian by Charles Hope (Warburg Institute) based on documents and literary sources; contextual discussion of the portraits (Titian's great moneymaker) by Jennifer Fletcher's (Courtauld Institute); an explanation of what recent technical studies reveal, especially about the controversial issue of finish, by Jill Dunkerton (National Gallery); and an essay by Miguel Falomir (Prado Museum) on replicas, an important product of Titian's workshop. Catalog entries are arranged in chronological/thematic sections with enlightening introductions by David Jaffe (National Gallery), together with beautiful color plates. Of particular interest is the section on the Ferrara Bacchanals and the National Gallery's hypothetical reconstruction of Alfonso d'Este's Camerino (the most spectacular part of the exhibition). All of the above, with the emphasis on Titian's paintings in British and Spanish collections, make this catalog a unique and important addition to the exhibition literature (Washington, 1990; Paris, 1993; Rome, 1995). 127 color illustrations. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. All levels. J. B. Gregory Delaware College of Art and Design
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
This book accompanies a major retrospective exhibition of Italian Renaissance artist Titian (c.1480-1576), curated by major scholars in this field at the National Gallery, London. The first essay gives an overview of Titian's career and discusses problematic aspects of the attribution of his early works and the resulting confusion with his contemporary, Venetian artist Giorgione. The catalog continues with an examination of his skills as a portraitist. Titian's fame, travels, high status, and income depended on his portraiture, as he painted aristocrats and royalty, later becoming court painter to the Hapsburgs. Also explored is the notion of Titian's replicas of his own paintings and their role in the commercialization of art in Venice. Lastly, Titian's painting technique is assessed in relation to specific paintings from different periods of his career. This book includes rich illustrations of all of the works in the exhibition, along with scholarly catalog entries. This is a good introduction to Titian and is recommended for all libraries that collect books on art, although Titian, catalog of the 1990 exhibit at the National Gallery, Washington, is a more comprehensive book on this artist.-Sandra Rothenberg, Framingham State Coll. Lib., MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Library Journal Review
