The Story of Painting by Wendy Beckett, Easton Press

The Story of Painting by Wendy Beckett

Easton Press Deluxe Leather Bound Edition

MINT Condition – Still in the Publisher’s Shrinkwrap

This is a beautiful leather bound edition of “The Story of Painting” published by the Easton Press in conjunction with the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. in 1994.  Sister Wendy Beckett, star of several PBS and BBC specials on art history, created this remarkable volume. Gail Cooke in her review of the book wrote, “Published in association with the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., this guide to the history of western art is a handsome volume containing over 450 masterpieces, each rendered in glorious full-color. The eminently readable text covers the development and movements in painting over the past 800 years, from Gothic to Renaissance, Romanticism to Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism to Modernism.

The author selects over 30 of the world's most famous paintings for in-depth studies. For instance, greater meaning is found in Van Gogh's "Self-Portrait" when the author uses enlarged details of the painting to reveal hidden meanings and symbolism. The swirling background that surrounds the solid, vivid head points toward the delicate nature of his mental state. A patch of bright green beneath the eye draws the viewer to Van Gogh's unswerving gaze, while this green added to the red in the hair suggest unleashed passion.

A member of the Notre Dame order, a teaching order of nuns, Sister Wendy Beckett studied at St. Anne's College, Oxford, where she graduated with highest honors. The author of several art books, she also writes for art magazines and has been featured on a television series.

Whether well schooled in the world of art or a neophyte, The Story of Painting is a valuable addition to your library.”

The book measures approximately 11” x 8.5” x 2.5” with 736 pages and features the usual Easton Press fineries including:

·      hubbed spine, bound in premium full leathers

·      distinctive cover design, beautiful illustrations

·      handsome, readable typefaces, permanent satin ribbon page marker

·      elegant gilded page edges, endsheets of rich silk moire fabric

·      thread-sewn pages for durability and strength, long-lasting high quality, acid-neutral paper

The book is in MINT condition and is still in the publisher’s shrinkwrap.