Secret Knowledge: Rediscovering the Lost Techniques of the Old Masters - Hardcover

Hockney, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0670030260 ISBN 13: 9780670030262

Publisher: Viking Studio, 2001

Synopsis

The author presents detailed theories on how some of Western art's famous masterpieces by such artists as da Vinci, Caravaggio, Velßzquez, and Van Eyck were actually created while discussing how his speculations have sparked worldwide anger and astonishment.

About this title

Review:

British painter David Hockney, well known for his cool and lovely paintings of California pools, has taken on the new role of detective. For two years Hockney seriously investigated the painting techniques of the old masters, and like any admirable sleuth, compiled substantial evidence to support his revolutionary theory. Secret Knowledge is the fruit of this labor, an exhaustive treatise in pictures revealing clues that some of the world's most famous painters, Ingres, Velázquez, Caravaggio (just to mention a few) utilized optics and lenses in creating their masterpieces. Hockney's fascination with the subject is contagious, and the book feels almost like a game with each analysis a "How'd they do that?" instead of a whodunit. While some may find the technical revelation a disappointment in terms of the idea of genius, Hockney is quick to point out that the use of optics does not diminish the immensity of artistic achievement. He reminds the reader that a tool is just a tool, and it is still the artist's hand and creative vision that produce a work of art. (296 pages, 460 illustrations, 402 in color.) --J.P. Cohen

About the Author:

David Hockney was born in England in 1937 and studied at the Royal College of Art. He achieved international acclaim by his mid-twenties as part of the pop art movement and has gone on to become one of the best known artists of his generation.

About this edition

• Publisher: Viking Studio
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0670030260
• ISBN 13: 9780670030262
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 296