Product Description

Clark's study of Leonardo is generally considered the clearest introduction available to the work of the controversial genius. This edition contains 128 plates, integrated into the text; a revised list of dates; an updated bibliography; and a new introduction.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #180712 in Books
• Published on: 1989-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 274 pages

About the Author
Sir Kenneth Clark (1903-1983) was the premier art historian of his generation. During his career, he held a variety of positions, including fine arts curator at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford; director of the National Gallery; and Slade Professor of Fine Art at Oxford. In 1969, he presented the well-regarded television series, Civilisation: A Personal View. He was granted a life peerage in the same year. Martin Kemp is Emeritus Professor of History of the Art at Oxford University.

Customer Reviews

The best introduction to Leonardo & a compelling read
Kenneth Clark's book is probably the best available introduction to Leonardo da Vinci. It is both a good biography and an insightful analysis of Leonardo's art and artistic career. The text is appropriate for both laymen and students of art history. Clark's writing is concise and extremely engaging (to the point where I would recommend reading this book for fun), but it is also intelligent and very informative, with a clear thesis that ties the vast body of matieral covered together into an easily comprehensible package. This book is slightly out of date now, but Martin Kemp's introduction and revision help to ammend for that. I particularly recommend this most recent edition as it is well-illustrated.

A masterpiece about a great master
This is THE classic monograph on Leonardo da Vinci, written with grace, sensitivity, and an incomparable knowledge of Leonardo's surviving works. Those who have read Kenneth Clark's "Civilization," or seen the TV series which he narrated, already have experienced his wit and intelligence. Clark's "Leonardo" first came out in 1939, then was reissued in 1959 and 1967, with the author's revisions. Martin Kemp's new edition brings the bibliography up to date, expands the illustrations, and provides an informative evaluation of Clark's accomplishment. Kemp is currently the world's premier Leonardo scholar. The description posted for Clark's "Leonardo" describing the book as a DK edition is for a DIFFERENT Leonardo book, not for Kenneth Clark's "Leonardo," which is a Penguin publication. I hope my review will be linked to the correct page.

"CHILD'S BOOK"?
This is the best book available in English on Leonardo da Vinci. True, the book was first published several decades ago, but the art historian Martin Kemp has added footnotes that bring the text up to date. Kenneth Clark made a tremendous contribution to the study of Leonardo da Vinci with this book - Science and Technology Museum notwithstanding!!!!