Rubens

by Michael Robinson

Published 29 September 2020
Arguably the greatest artist of the Baroque period, Peter Paul Rubens was an accomplished painter and draughtsman, as well as a valued diplomat. This accessible examination of his life and work looks at every aspect of Rubens’s oeuvre; from his commissioned portraits of royalty and the nobility to his magnificent representations of ancient myths, Biblical stories, and historical events. This incisive biography traces his life as a student in Venice, where he encountered the works of Titian and Tintoretto, the establishment of his studio in Antwerp, and the lucrative patronages of Marie de Medici and Phillip IV. Full page reproductions of Rubens’s work communicate his energetic and dynamic style, along with his masterful use of color and sensuous depictions of the human body.

Caspar David Friedrich

by Michael Robinson

Published 3 October 2023
Considered one of the most important figures in German art of
the nineteenth century, Caspar David Friedrich is best known
for his dramatic and emotional paintings, which often feature
contemplative figures, sweeping landscapes, and an emphasis
on the sublime and the spiritual. This book takes a chronological
approach to Friedrich’s career, beginning with his early years
producing traditional religious and historical scenes. It explores
his innovative use of light and color, and his unprecedented
treatment of the landscape as a living, dynamic entity, rather than
simply as a backdrop or setting for other subjects.
The beautifully reproduced works and details in this volume help
readers appreciate the astounding qualities of Friedrich’s works:
his palette of muted, atmospheric colors; swirling clouds, dramatic
mountains, and turbulent seas; and subtle changes in light and
shadow that occur throughout the day. Readers will come away
with a renewed appreciation for Friedrich’s portrayals of the
natural world and the unique and provocatively emotive qualities
of his work.