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Raphael: The Drawings Paperback – July 13, 2017
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- This book will accompany a 'once in a generation' show, the like of which has not been seen for over thirty years
The Ashmolean Museum and the Albertina are collaborating on a two-part exhibition project that will examine anew the role and the significance of drawing in Raphael's career. The Ashmolean holds the greatest collection of Raphael drawings in the world, and the Albertina is the custodian of a major collection including some of the most beautiful and important of the artist's sketches. Taken together, the two collections provide extraordinary resources that, amplified by carefully-selected international loans, will allow us to transform our understanding of the art of Raphael.
The Oxford exhibition is based on new research by Dr Catherine Whistler of the Ashmolean Museum and Dr Ben Thomas from the University of Kent, in collaboration with Dr Achim Gnann of the Albertina. It will take Raphael's art of drawing as its focus, with the concept of eloquence as its underlying structure. Oratory runs as a linking thread in Raphael's drawings, which stand out for the importance given to the study of gestures, facial expressions, and drapery. Moreover, Raphael treated the expressive figure of the orator - poet, philosopher, muse, apostle, saint or sibyl - in fascinating and significant ways throughout his life.
This selection of drawings demonstrates how Raphael created a specific mode of visual invention and persuasive communication through drawing. He used drawing both as conceptual art (including brainstorming sheets) and as a practice based on attentive observation (such as drawing from the posed model). Yet Raphael's drawings also reveal how the process of drawing in itself, with its gestural rhythms and spontaneity, can be a form of thought, generating new ideas. The Oxford exhibition will present drawings that span Raphael's entire career, encompassing many of his major projects and exploring his visual language from inventive ideas to full compositions. The extraordinary range of drawings by Raphael in the Ashmolean and the Albertina, enhanced by appropriate loans, will enable this exhibition to cast new light on this familiar artist, transforming our understanding of Raphael's art.
This book preludes a major exhibition, which will run from June to September 2017, with a range of events happening throughout this time.
- Print length256 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherAshmolean Museum
- Publication dateJuly 13, 2017
- Dimensions8.64 x 0.87 x 11.06 inches
- ISBN-10191080715X
- ISBN-13978-1910807156
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Product details
- Publisher : Ashmolean Museum (July 13, 2017)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 256 pages
- ISBN-10 : 191080715X
- ISBN-13 : 978-1910807156
- Item Weight : 2.7 pounds
- Dimensions : 8.64 x 0.87 x 11.06 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #262,246 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #378 in Individual Artist Monographs
- #691 in Arts & Photography Criticism
- #1,196 in Art History (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
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Ben Thomas is Reader in Art History at the University of Kent. He was co-curator of Raphael: The Drawings at the Ashmolean Museum in 2017.
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- Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2024She loves it. This is her favorite renaissance artsist.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2018This is one of the most exceptional books in my collection. I adore the reproductions, and when I take it out to peruse I inevitably get lost in the interesting text that accompanies the incredible drawings, which also cause one to stare and admire. It's about 1.5 inches thick, and heavy.
Raphael was so far ahead of his time, that even today no one displays such virtuosity. One really cool thing I wouldn't have found out if it were just a picture book, too, is that he used a blank nib to draw lines before he inked them, which blew my mind and allowed me a new approach to my drafting. I would never have thought...
- Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2017An interesting, if somewhat limited assessment of the work of Raphael as a draftsman.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2017I am really sorry I do not live in London only for having missed the exhibit. However I am thankful to have received this catalogue for the show. The reproductions are wonderful and the text is very scholarly. Raffaello is one of the greatest draughts men that will ever have lived on this earth. Ask Ingres! My best purchase of 2017 and believe me, I am an Amazon junkie for books and music.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2018Gift for an artist - who loved it.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2017Beautiful book full of illustrations
Top reviews from other countries
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Flavio PintoReviewed in Brazil on January 24, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Ótimo Livro.
Ótimo Livro.
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Gilbert moïseReviewed in France on March 20, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Le respect des délais et le bon état du produit .
Je suis passionné d’art ( peinture,cinéma... ).
- cambridgeiteReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars 1st class and great value.
Superb book.
- Alexander GardicsReviewed in Germany on October 1, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars living machine
This gorgeous book has a well defined concept and a very systematic approach of the artist's work: the introduction, the chronology, the chapters on materials and technique, on Raphael's idea of drawing and the design process all contribute to the highest possible rating. And finally, the catalogue itself which thoroughly changed my perception of the artist's work. I had not appreciated him as much as the other great painters of the High Renaissance because previously I had only been acquainted with some of his paintings and nothing except The School of Athens and the Portrait of Balthasar had impressed me much. But now it is a different game: this book was made in a manner that makes me recognize Raphael's greatness even though there are still some questions left to be answered.
Most of his figures are graceful and elegant but when he wants to be dramatic the postures seem to become a little bit contrived. We believe Michelangelo when his figures are squatting, stooping, stretching their limbs or twisting their bodies, it looks natural within the context of the picture, but do we believe Raphael when doing the same, or his figures seem to be actors on the stage? The beauty is there, but is it credible or rather theatrical?
Raphael died at the age of 37 and had already accomplished so much. He was a living machine of a painter, and in order to be so prolific he probably had to create consciously. Everything Michelangelo does instinctively, Raphael does in a conscious manner, and that could be the answer to the question. Hi is simply crafty, his talent lies in learning from other masters, in assimilating other influences and consciously molding them into something new. It is neither inferior nor superior, but simply different. Just like his predecessor, he could have been a sculptor as well. The theatrical manner of presentation seems more natural in case of a sculpture.
One more thing: quite often, on the same sheet, next to the main drawing we can find a detail of it repeated, elaborated or modified. I call this phenomenon 'the echo' of the drawing and some surviving sheets from the renaissance period are crammed with such 'echoes'. In case of Raphael they are less frequent, but when present (especially when he is sketching), they make the drawings even more appealing. Anyway, I intend to read the accompanying text of this beautiful book, it was put together in such an attentive way that it simply makes me want to read it. I definitely recommend buying it, not just because it is beautiful but also because it creates a more complete picture of the artist's body of work.
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Guadalupe VargasReviewed in Mexico on January 8, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Una recopilación hermosa
Llego antes de lo esperado, es un libro que deseaba un primo y le encantó.