The Louvre: All The Paintings (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
I suppose I should have expected this to be more of a "coffee-table book" than anything else. I did appreciate the quick bios of some of the artists and the opportunity to narrow my must-sees for when I (finally!) get there in person. My only real problem with the book was that all the paintings were formatted down to the same two sizes. There is a level of appreciation and comparison that is lost when everything is put in the same size box. Still, a good introduction to what the Louvre has to offer! This is a really beautiful, huge, heavy book. I found the descriptions and paintings fascinating and it was nice to be able to really look at them without the interruptions you get when you go to a museum with people - commentary, other patrons wanting to see, noise. The CD could have been better. It is hard to navigate and the titles that you click on to see the collections blend into the background. It was nice to be able to zoom into the paintings to see the details. Did you know that Mona Lisa is wearing a gauzy hair covering? I don't know which school of artists I like best. They all have really good qualities. I most identify with the northern schools because they have a folk-like quality in their paintings. Think Rembrandt, Jan Vermeer, and Peter Brughel. Definately a book not to miss as long as you don't drop it on your foot.
What do You think about The Louvre: All The Paintings (2011)?
great book to leaf through and the cd-Rom allows you to see more detail
—chloe
An amazing collection; makes me want to go to Paris that much more.
—Hisae
You absolutely have to see this book to appreciate it!
—Brandt
