Gerard de Lairesse: An Artist between Stage and Studio - Softcover

Vries, Lyckle De

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9053562508 ISBN 13: 9789053562505

Publisher: Amsterdam University Press, 2014

Synopsis

This book responds to a growing appreciation of the oeuvre and ideas of the classicist painter Gerard de Lairesse (1640-1711). It offers an accessible introduction to his life and work, with special attention to the historical and artistic context of the late seventeenth-century Dutch Republic. After the death of Rembrandt de Lairesse became one of the most populair painters of the Republic. After losing his eyesight in 1690 he wrote two influential works on drawing and painting: The foundations of Drawing and The Large Painting Book. De Lairesse was also a member of the theater discussion society 'Nil volentibus arduum', and famous for his decors for the Amsterdam City Theater. The variety of pursuits which made up De Lairesse's career are presented in colorful detail.

About this title

Synopsis:

Classicist painter Gerard de Lairesse (1640-1711) was famous in his time but became all but forgotten in the following centuries. This book is a response to a growing appreciation of his oeuvre and ideas, offering an introduction to his life and work. Particular attention is paid to the historical and artistic context of the late-17th century Dutch Republic. After the death of Rembrandt in 1669, de Lairesse rapidly became one of the most popular painters of the Republic: he designed monumental "mural paintings on canvas" for the palaces of Stadholder William III and for the new city hall of Amsterdam. After losing his eyesight in 1690, he set down his ideas on drawing and painting in two influential works, "The Foundations of The Art of Drawing" and "The Art of Painting". He was also active in the society "Nil volentibus arduum", which devoted extensive discussions to the subject of the theatre which served as a source of inspiration for his paintings and his treatises on the theory of art. The variety of pursuits which made up de Lairesse's career are all explored in this volume.

The author compares his theoretical ideas with his artistic practice and with that of his colleagues and predecessors, painting a portrait of the artist against a background of his times.

About the Author:

"http://www.kunsthistorici.nl/leden/lyckle-de-vries/" target="_blank"> Lyckle de Vries was educated at Groningen University, where he later also taught art history from 1970 until 2000. He was a fellow of N.I.A.S., Wassenaar in 1981 and 1994-1995, and a scholar of the J. Paul Getty Center for the History of Art and the Humanities, Santa Monica (CA) in 1986-1987. In 1997, he was an Art Council Professor in the department of Art History, U.C.L.A.

About this edition

• Publisher: Amsterdam University Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 9053562508
• ISBN 13: 9789053562505
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 112