Masterpieces of Art Books

Product Details * Pub. Date: August 2010 * Publisher: Sterling Publishing * Format: Hardcover, 192pp * Sales Rank: 140 * ISBN-13: 9781435127005 * ISBN: 1435127005

Woodblock printing is a traditional artistic medium in Japan most renowned for its use in ukiyo-e or 'floating world' prints. Both moving and mesmerising, this medium captures scenes with considerable atmosphere and vibrancy whether it be crashing waves, autumn leaves or serene waterfalls. Beginning with a fresh and thoughtful introduction to Japanese woodblock art, Japanese Woodblocks Masterpieces of Art goes on to showcase key works by artists such as Katsuhika Hokusai and Ando Hiroshige.

The English Romantic painter Joseph Mallord William Turner (23 April 1775–19 December 1851) was a brilliant landscape artist, a watercolourist and printmaker. His style, powerful and fierce, melding the elements with humankind are thought by many to have prepared the way for Impressionism . In his time he was controversial, but his focus on land and seascapes widened the palette of artists and their audience, and his impressionistic brushwork prepared the way for the fragmentation of the modern era. This wonderful new book brings to life his greatest achievements, with such paintings as The Fighting 'Temeraire’ , Inside Tintern Abbey and Rain, Steam and Speed (The Great Western Railway) .

Prior to the invention of the printing press, all books had to be written by hand. Manuscripts are the beautiful manifestation of this craft, and the most precious and expensive of such manuscripts were 'illuminated' through the use of brightly coloured pigments and gold embellishments. Beginning with a fresh and thoughtful introduction to illuminated manuscripts, Illuminated Manuscripts Masterpieces of Art goes on to showcase key works in this stunning artistic genre.

Part of a new series of beautiful gift art books, Art Deco Fashion: Masterpieces of Art highlights artworks from fashion illustrators of the era that was characterized by the allure of modernity, progression, women’s liberation, and luxury – leading to the short hemlines and androgyny of the Flapper, the outdoorsy Sporty girl and Silver Screen goddesses. Beginning with a fresh and thoughtful introduction to the Art Deco movements and its influence upon fashion, the book features all the best known Art Deco fashion masterpieces, including works by renowned artists such as Georges Barbier, Paul Iribe and Erté.

Klee's art appeals to our primary instincts and makes us look beyond the ordinary. A natural draughtsman, master of colour and hugely influential artist, Klee eludes classification, having been variously linked with Expressionism, Cubism, Futurism, Surrealism and Abstraction. Part of a new series of beautiful gift art books, Paul Klee Masterpieces of Art brims with the subtle warmth and humour of a unique artist. With a fresh and thoughtful introduction to Klee's life and art, the book goes on to showcase his key works in all their glory.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh was one of the most intriguing and influential artists of his time. Charles Rennie Mackintosh Masterpieces of Art reveals a selection of some of his most important and popular works, from stained glass pieces and furniture through to architecture, at the same time giving an overview of his life and career. The introduction reveals his journey from early Symbolist watercolours and Japanese-influenced details to his influence on the Vienna Secession and crowning works of architecture such as the Glasgow School of Art. The informed text and beautiful images of key artworks give depth and fuller understanding to create a beautifully rich and enjoyable tribute to the father of the 'Glasgow Style'.

Gustav Klimt, well known for his sensual, arresting depictions of women ( The Kiss , Fulfillment , The Tree of Life ), was a founder of the Viennese Secession movement at the turn of the 20th century, Vienna's own Art Nouveau . His extravagant work, was an obsessive manifestation of the dazzling intellectual society of his time and he painted very large canvases combining oils with gold foil. This beautiful new book brings together a wide selection of Klimt’s magnificent work.

Part of a new series of beautiful gift art books, Claude Monet Masterpieces of Art features all of the popular works of this insightful and experimental artist, from his first inklings as an Impressionist to his later flirtations with Abstract Expressionism. With a fresh and thoughtful introduction to the life and art of one of the most famous artists in the world, the book goes on to showcase his key works in all their glory.

A beautiful new gift art book all about Edvard Munch, the Norwegian artist behind the first truly Expressionist picture The Scream . Absorbed by such motifs as love, life, death and anguish, Munch’s paintings captured the psychological feelings evoked by man. Beginning with a fresh and captivating introduction to Munch’s life and art, the book showcases several of his works in all their glory.

Bosch lived and worked over 500 years ago in the Netherlands’ town of ’s Hertogenbosch, from which he takes his name. He is best known for his fantastical, wondrous art full of strange creatures both grotesque and heavenly. The work he has left behind still defies the imagination. Taking account of the latest research, Hieronymus Bosch: Masterpieces of Art gives an overview of what is known of this elusive painter and draughtsman, and reproduces his (and some of his followers’) impressive work, from traditional Biblical stories with a Boschian twist, such as the Adoration of the Magi , to his apocalyptic Four Visions of the Hereafter . His diptychs and triptychs, such as the famously complex Garden of Earthly Delights are covered as well as his stunning line drawings, such as The Wood Has Ears, The Field Has Eyes .

The Pre-Raphaelites, earlier known as the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, were a society of English artists with an incredible wealth of talent. Their name was a reference to their rejection of the Renaissance master Raphael and the immensely popular classical, elegant poses that had come to be fashionable. Instead, they included abundant colour and detail in their works, leading their movement to become an integral and controversial part of art history, which is explored in this beautifully illustrated new book.

A group of primarily Scottish artists (mainly William York Macgregor, Joseph Crawhall, George Henry, Edward Atkinson Hornel, Sir John Lavery and Arthur Melville) they painted in a number of different styles, and were active around the turn of the 20th Century. The Glasgow Boys are defined by their rejection of classic Victorian painting; inspired by the luminous techniques of James McNeil Whistler they harnessed Impressionistic brushwork and livid realism in their work, trying new methods and everyday settings to create stunning works of art. With over 100 images, and broad introduction this is a fine addition to Flame Tree's the ever increasing series on painting and illustration, Masterpieces of Art.

Inspired by the works of French Post-Impressionist and Fauvist artists, the Scottish Colourists (Samuel Peploe, J.D. Fergusson, Leslie Hunter and F.C.B. Cadell) introduced 1920s Britain to a whole new style of painting. While they did not regard themselves as a collective, they are known for their bold use of colour, vigorous brushwork and affinity for painting en plein air. Though each had a distinct style and focus, they were united by pioneering efforts to buck the prevailing artistic conventions of their time, creating works of art that burst with life and beauty. With over 80 images and a broad introduction, this is a fine addition to Flame Tree's ever-increasing series on painting and illustration, Masterpieces of Art.