Synopses & Reviews
An unsurpassed anthology of Western art from the best-loved art historian of our time. Sister Wendy Beckett, one of the most respected art historians of our time, combines her great love of art with her unique powers of observation to create an unrivaled personal anthology of 1,000 of the greatest masterpieces of Western art. Definitive Guide. Spanning over nine centuries of Western art, Sister Wendy's very personal selection includes more than 500 of the world's greatest artists. Arranged alphabetically, most of the artists featured are represented by two paintings, illustrating the range of their work and the development of their style. Sister Wendy describes each masterpiece in illuminating detail. She gives special attention to landmark words by the giants of Western art, such as Leonardo da Vinci's Virgin of the Rocks, Velasquez's The Waterseller of Seville, and Goya's The Family of Charles IV. Illuminating Insights. With full-color reproductions of superb quality, Sister Wendy's 1,000 Masterpieces is the perfect introduction to artists as diverse as Durer and Dufy, Monet and Miro, Raphael and Rothko. Focusing on both subject matter and technique, Sister Wendy's perceptive annotations lead the reader straight to the key elements of each work, while she offers fresh insights into even the most famous paintings.
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A true wealth of insight to offer the layman and the professional...the color reproductions are excellent. (Antiques and the Arts Weekly)
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a weighty and wonderful collection...a big bold, beautiful book. (religion news service syndicate)
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sister Wendy is a one-woman panel of experts (Philadelphia inquirer)
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A big sumptuous volume...an informative read and a pleasure browse. Highly recommended. (Gallery & Studio)
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Sister Wendy's knowledge of art history is sweeping and surprisingly cosmopolitan, though always explained in terms lay people can appreciate (San Antonio News Express)
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[The competition] has almost nothing of the excellence of 1000 masterpieces...a well-developed capacity for intelligent appreciation. Sister Wendy serves an an invariably graceful, subtle and insightful guide to this august collection of paintings. (Trenton Times)
About the Author
Sister Wendy Beckett is a member of the Notre Dame order, a teaching order of nuns. She studied for her degree in English at St. Anne's College, Oxford where she graduated with highest honors. After teaching in South Africa, she returned to England in 1970 to live a fully contemplative life under the protection of a Carmelite monastery in Norfolk, where she lives in seclusion to this day. A lifelong art lover and recognized art historian, Sister Wendy began serious study of the subject in 1980. She writes for many art magazines and her wildly popular BBC television series, Sister Wendy's Odyssey, Sister Wendy's Grand Tour, and Sister Wendy's Story of Painting are seen on PBS.