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Raphael: His Life And Works in 500 Images: An Exploration of the Artist, His Life and Context, with 500 Images and a Gallery of His Most Celebrated Works
Artist, architect and draughtsman, Raphael was one of the great masters of the High Renaissance, producing a huge body of work during his short working life. This authoritative and lively study examines his life and the times he lived in, and features a wonderful gallery of his paintings and drawings along with expert analysis, and descriptions of his style and technique.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published July 16, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 9, 2021
Картинки хорошие, а текст плохой!
Очень сумбурные параграфы, где предложения не состыкованы одно с другим, вместо внятной хронологии в первой части книги какой-то импрессионизм и эмоции. "Жизнь и творчество" для меня так и остались туманными ошметками и так отрывочных знаний.
500 картин Рафаэля, разумеется, тоже не набралось, но понравилось, что помимо неизбежных "повлиял на" и "учился у" представлено много увеличенных фрагментов работ, что позволяет рассмотреть детали.
Очень сумбурные параграфы, где предложения не состыкованы одно с другим, вместо внятной хронологии в первой части книги какой-то импрессионизм и эмоции. "Жизнь и творчество" для меня так и остались туманными ошметками и так отрывочных знаний.
500 картин Рафаэля, разумеется, тоже не набралось, но понравилось, что помимо неизбежных "повлиял на" и "учился у" представлено много увеличенных фрагментов работ, что позволяет рассмотреть детали.
March 27, 2014
Although not a great deal is known concerning the private life of maestro artist Raphael; his work has lived on and has inspired artists for generations. Art aficionado and professor Susie Hodge presents Raphael a la coffee table book in, “Raphael: His Life and Works in 500 Images”.
It would be cruel irony if a coffee table art book was not art in itself. Luckily, Hodge does not disappoint with “Raphael” presenting glorious, colorful, glossy pages filled with illustrations and the works of Raphael. Instead of simply compiling Raphael’s pieces; Hodge provides an academic text covering the Renaissance, influences on Raphael, some personal facts, etc. However, don’t expect a detailed biography as this is simply an overview and introduction (plus, as mentioned, not too much is known about Raphael as a person). Regardless, the text is not dummied down and the reader will gain lots of information.
Sadly, Hodge has the tendency of describing too much of the art environment versus focusing entirely on Raphael which makes the book feel as though it explores too many tangents. Plus, Hodge includes too much personal art interpretation on her own behalf. Granted, Hodge is both educated and passionate on the topic but this makes it a bit of an opinion piece.
The design of “Raphael” is quite ideal with each element making sense in the overall composition. The text on each subject finishes on the corresponding pages which eliminates the need to flip back and forth.
One of the issues in “Raphael” is the division of text relating Raphael’s life by event or topic instead of a chronological look which results in repetition and choppiness. This weakens “Raphael”. On the other hand, Hodge’s intent appears to be an abstract so this format can make sense. With progression though, “Raphael” spotlights more on Raphael’s work and career; heightening the pace and creating a page turner despite the work being only a coffee table book.
The second half of “Raphael” features a gallery of his work including drawings, paintings, portraits, frescoes, tapestries, and architectural wonders arranged chronologically with markings describing the date of the work, current location, and size; and with captions describing the piece. The discrepancy is that in the beginning, Hodge includes artwork from Raphael’s contemporaries in order to demonstrate his influences but without clear indication of whether a piece is Raphael’s or not which confuses the reader. “Raphael” would make more sense without these additions. Luckily, this stops within the first few color plates.
The final pages of the gallery in “Raphael” display examples of artists who either influenced or were influenced by Raphael. This is a creative way to wrap up the book although more detail could have been delivered explaining the exact relationships between the works and/or artists. Overall though, “Raphael” lacks a sum-up or solid conclusion, thus reducing a memorable ending.
It should be noted that “Raphael” contains some editing errors in the form of several misspelled words.
Despite some flaws, Hodge’s “Raphael” is a sturdy introduction into the career and works of Raphael Santi presented in a beautiful way which does his works justice. The reader will be left in awe. “Raphael” is recommended for fans of Renaissance art and of course: Raphael, the artist.
It would be cruel irony if a coffee table art book was not art in itself. Luckily, Hodge does not disappoint with “Raphael” presenting glorious, colorful, glossy pages filled with illustrations and the works of Raphael. Instead of simply compiling Raphael’s pieces; Hodge provides an academic text covering the Renaissance, influences on Raphael, some personal facts, etc. However, don’t expect a detailed biography as this is simply an overview and introduction (plus, as mentioned, not too much is known about Raphael as a person). Regardless, the text is not dummied down and the reader will gain lots of information.
Sadly, Hodge has the tendency of describing too much of the art environment versus focusing entirely on Raphael which makes the book feel as though it explores too many tangents. Plus, Hodge includes too much personal art interpretation on her own behalf. Granted, Hodge is both educated and passionate on the topic but this makes it a bit of an opinion piece.
The design of “Raphael” is quite ideal with each element making sense in the overall composition. The text on each subject finishes on the corresponding pages which eliminates the need to flip back and forth.
One of the issues in “Raphael” is the division of text relating Raphael’s life by event or topic instead of a chronological look which results in repetition and choppiness. This weakens “Raphael”. On the other hand, Hodge’s intent appears to be an abstract so this format can make sense. With progression though, “Raphael” spotlights more on Raphael’s work and career; heightening the pace and creating a page turner despite the work being only a coffee table book.
The second half of “Raphael” features a gallery of his work including drawings, paintings, portraits, frescoes, tapestries, and architectural wonders arranged chronologically with markings describing the date of the work, current location, and size; and with captions describing the piece. The discrepancy is that in the beginning, Hodge includes artwork from Raphael’s contemporaries in order to demonstrate his influences but without clear indication of whether a piece is Raphael’s or not which confuses the reader. “Raphael” would make more sense without these additions. Luckily, this stops within the first few color plates.
The final pages of the gallery in “Raphael” display examples of artists who either influenced or were influenced by Raphael. This is a creative way to wrap up the book although more detail could have been delivered explaining the exact relationships between the works and/or artists. Overall though, “Raphael” lacks a sum-up or solid conclusion, thus reducing a memorable ending.
It should be noted that “Raphael” contains some editing errors in the form of several misspelled words.
Despite some flaws, Hodge’s “Raphael” is a sturdy introduction into the career and works of Raphael Santi presented in a beautiful way which does his works justice. The reader will be left in awe. “Raphael” is recommended for fans of Renaissance art and of course: Raphael, the artist.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews