Product Description

Offers a detailed biography of the seventeenth century Spanish painter, looks at all of his paintings, and discusses the original technique Velazquez developed for his art.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #598932 in Books
• Published on: 1988-09-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 323 pages

From Library Journal
The copious official documents Brown, together with J. H. Elliott, resarched for their A Palace for a King ( LJ 10/15/80) revealed new facts about Velazquez, and became the basis for Brown's latest book. There are gaps in the artist's biography that will probably never be filled, but Brown could make some logical assumptions about the many years Velazquez lived under the patronage of Philip IV of Spain. Brown was able to establish a new chronology for some of the controversial paintings, and he has eliminated a few questionable ones from the artist's oeuvre. This is an important addition to Velazquez studies. It is also a highly readable, excellently illustrated book for laypersons who wish to learn more about this intriguing artist. Eleanor Riley, Getty Conservation Inst. Lib., Marina del Rey, Cal.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Best place to start, or continue study
Having never read a book on Velazquez, I took a suggestion from one of my teachers and picked this one up at the library (art books are too expensive!). Being a fine arts/art history student, this was like discovering gold. The book is very well-written. I was able to travel the halls of the Spanish court with ease, because of the lucid, conversational style of writing. Brown doesn't mince words, and his inclusion of 17th century Spanish history is done where it needs to be. Everything in the book is there to inform the reader about Velazquez, whether it's his life, technique, or those around him. Most interesting is how the mood and frivolities of court greatly affected Velazquez's output. Brown states in his introduction that the book is for both the casual reader, and the scholar. After reading the book, this is very true. Scholars would do well to read this book, as Brown offers highly educated opinions and conclusions on Velazquez's style of painting, and the internal and external reasons around the artist that made him paint the way he did, both in quality and quantity. If you can afford this, buy it by all means. It offers the student a great grounding from which to explore Velazquez's paintings, and the techniques seen therein.

One of the best Velazquez books
This is one of the best books on Velazquez. Velazquez a prototypical "painter's painter", was a master at achieving "more with less". This large format book depicts virtually every work that is currently attributed to the artist. So, for practical purposes, it serves as a Velazquez catalogue raisonne. Large, very clear color and B&W photos allow you to get a good feel for the way Velazquez constucted his paintings. Emile Carolus-Duran, a solid 19th century academic painter and Sargent's teacher, urged his students to "study Velazquez without respite". This is an exceptional book from which to study!

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT MY ART BOOK REVIEWS: It might seem as though I rate most art books very favorably. The reason for this is that I usually visit my local library before buying a book. I'll look at all (in print and out of print) of the Rembrandt (for example) books and choose my favorite one to purchase. In the case of an artist's monograph, I try to choose one or two comprehensive books for each artist. These are generally large, well illustrated hardcovers with above average reproduction quality and informative text, often by one of the leading scholars on the artist. Thus, by the time I purchase a book, I have already found it to be among the best available on the subject.

Velazquez
This is the best book I have yet seen on Velazquez. Informative and lushly illustrated: its got the pictures AND the thousand words (and more). As a painter myself I use this book almost like a holy book; for guidance, inspiration and refreshment of the spirit.