Art Encyclopedias and Artist Monographs - 6 Volume Master Artists Collection (1966-1968) - Vintage Decorative Book Set

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Exceptional collection of six volumes from Harry N. Abrams' prestigious "Classics of the World's Great Art" series, featuring comprehensive catalogs … Read more Exceptional collection of six volumes from Harry N. Abrams' prestigious "Classics of the World's Great Art" series, featuring comprehensive catalogs raisonnés of six master artists spanning Renaissance to Modern periods. Published in Italy by Rizzoli Editore between 1966-1968, each volume combines impeccable scholarship with stunning visual presentation, making this collection both an academic resource and a design statement.

This curated collection includes:

"The Complete Paintings of Leonardo da Vinci" (1967) - Introduction by L.D. Ettlinger, notes and catalog by Angela Ottino della Chiesa. Features the iconic Mona Lisa on the cover. Contains 64 color plates and 295 black-and-white illustrations documenting Leonardo's extraordinary visual genius. This volume includes all authenticated works as well as previously attributed paintings, providing a complete visual record of his groundbreaking techniques that revolutionized Renaissance painting.

"The Complete Paintings of Michelangelo" (1966) - Introduction by L.D. Ettlinger, notes and catalog by Ettore Camesasca. Cover features a detail of the Erythraean Sibyl from the Sistine Chapel. Contains 64 color plates and 125 black-and-white illustrations, including detailed close-ups of the Sistine Chapel frescos. Documents Michelangelo's sporadic but monumental painting career conducted at the behest of three Renaissance popes.

"The Complete Paintings of Manet" (1967) - Introduction by Phoebe Pool, notes and catalog by Sandra Orienti. Cover showcases Manet's "Nana." Contains 64 color plates and 520 black-and-white illustrations cataloging over 400 works plus 30 paintings of disputed attribution. Details Manet's groundbreaking approach to color and composition that scandalized the art establishment yet established him as the first truly "modern" artist.

"The Complete Paintings of Raphael" (1966) - Introduction by Richard Cocke, notes and catalog by Pierluigi de Vecchi. Cover features a detail from "La Fornarina." Contains 64 color plates and 379 black-and-white illustrations documenting the work of the "Prince of Painters" whose serene style defined High Renaissance aesthetics. Includes the Vatican Stanze frescoes and his numerous Madonna paintings.

"The Complete Paintings of Giorgione" (1968) - Introduction by Cecil Gould, notes and catalog by Pietro Zampetti. Cover features a detail from "The Sleeping Venus." Contains 64 color plates and 130 black-and-white illustrations. This volume addresses the enigmatic and often disputed attribution issues surrounding this influential Venetian master whose mysterious life and limited surviving works have created an artistic legend.

"The Complete Paintings of Dürer" (1968) - Introduction by Alistair Smith, notes and catalog by Angela Ottino della Chiesa. Cover features a detail from "Eve." Contains 64 color plates and 317 black-and-white illustrations documenting the works of this Northern Renaissance genius who fused Gothic craftsmanship with Italian Renaissance principles of space, perspective, and proportion.

What elevates this collection beyond typical art books is its unparalleled scholarship. Each volume was overseen by series editor Paolo Lecaldano with an International Advisory Board including renowned art historians Rudolf Wittkower, André Chastel, and other distinguished scholars. Every book features a comprehensive catalog raisonné format with detailed analysis of each authenticated work, critical commentaries spanning centuries of scholarship, and rich visual documentation including close-up details rarely seen in other publications.

Originally published simultaneously in multiple countries (Italy, France, UK, US, Spain, and Switzerland), these volumes represent the pinnacle of mid-century art scholarship made accessible to collectors and enthusiasts. The series was groundbreaking in combining authoritative academic content with high-quality reproductions affordable to the general public.

Style Notes: These elegant cream and black art folios create a sophisticated library display with their consistent design and iconic artwork covers. The uniform presentation with masterwork details on each cover provides instant visual impact on bookshelves or accent tables. Perfect for traditional, transitional, or art-focused interiors where distinguished reference books serve as both intellectual resources and design elements.

Description:
Decor Style: Traditional, Transitional, Modern Classic
Year Made: 1966-1968
Country of Origin: Italy (Printed and bound in Italy for Harry N. Abrams)
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (US edition of books originally published by Rizzoli Editore) See less