The National Gallery collection

Inbunden bok. National Gallery Publications. 1987. 255 sidor.

Nyskick. Skyddsomslag i nyskick. THE NATIONAL GALLERY COLLECTION
For the variety, balance and sheer quality of its Collection the National Gallery is unique. Founded in 1824, it has since grown to be one of the world's finest collections of Western painting, including famous works by nearly all the great painters - Piero della Francesca, Titian, Rembrandt,
Rubens, Degas and many others— as well as masterpieces by less familiar artists.

One of the greatest glories of the Collection is the exquisite group of Early Italian paintings. This is followed by rare Early Netherlandish pictures and magnificent works from the Italian High Renaissance, then others from the Flemish, Dutch, Spanish and French Schools. In this thoroughly European context can also be seen paintings by major British artists - Gainsborough, Constable and Turner. A fine group of Impressionists marks the break with long-standing academic traditions, and finally works by Cézanne, Matisse and Picasso represent the beginnings of modern art.

Out of this marvellous array Sir Michael Levey, former Director of the National Gallery, has chosen 250 paintings to be reproduced in colour, preceded by a brief, stimulating history of the Collection. In each section short essays discuss the assembly of the individual Schools. Sir Michael's profound understanding of the subject and his sensitivity to every nuance of a painting will illuminate these great works for any reader, making this book an indispensable guide to the Gallery, as well as an ideal introduction to European painting.