Otto Pächt

Otto Pacht, one of the most significant art-historians of the 'Vienna School', and well known for his analyses of Early Netherlandish art, turns his attention in this publication to the humanist circle of Early Renaissance painters in Venice, dominated by Jacopo Bellini, his sons Gentile and Giovanni, and also his son-in-law Andrea Mantegna. It was a period of newly awakened interest in the Antique, of studies made directly from nature, and of trial and error in the technique of perspective. And in addition, a new awareness of the role of light and colour in the devotional and often monumental images of the Madonna, of altarpieces and of allegories contributed to the founding of what we now recognise as the hall-mark of Venetian painting, that culminated with Titian. Of the Bellini family, it has been Giovanni who was generally regarded as the major figure of the dynasty. Pacht, however, devotes particular attention to Jacopo's work, interpreting it as the basis for his sons' later development. He analyses Jacopo's London and Paris Sketchbook drawings, demonstrating where Late Gothic elements can be seen to be overtaken by the need to give perspective depth to the image, and how subsequent painting took account of these changes. This is also the essence of Pacht's examination of Mantegna's work, where the construction of space and depth is the key to our understanding of Mantegna's creative process.Turning to the next generation of the Bellini family, Pachts guides our eyes to appreciate the refinement and perception of Gentile's portraits, and finally takes us step by step through the works of Giovanni, where fantasy combines with the play of colour and light in creating compositions, devotional images, and landscape settings of perfect harmony and beauty.

Jacopo, Gentile and Giovanni Bellini and Andrea Mantegna

Venetian Painting in the 15th Century

Otto Pacht

This is a classic essay on how to approach the subject of art history. Pächt aims to sharpen perceptions by recreating the social and cultural context in which an art object was made.

Reflections on Method

The Practice of Art History

This account examines the format and style of book illumination, explaining the basic vocabulary and concepts that are needed to understand this art form. The author offers insights into the fundamental philosophy, theology, technology and cultural ambience underlying the production of book illumination throughout its history.

An Introduction

Book Illumination in the Middle Ages

This volume follows on from Pacht's work on the Van Eycks and their circle, to encompass the great artists of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Figures such as Van Der Weyden, Bouts, Christus, Van Der Goes and Memling, as well as lesser known artists, are examined in turn. With detailed discussion of particular paintings, style and symbolism.

From Rogier Van Der Weyden to Gerard David

Early Netherlandish Painting

Jan van Eyck

Monografie van de gebroeders Jan (ca. 1390-1441) en Hubert (ca. 1370-1426) van Eyck.

Otto Pächt

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