Great Art Explained

Was macht große Kunst wirklich großartig? Meisterwerke der Kunst - großartig erklärt beleuchtet die Geschichten hinter 30 der bedeutendsten Gemälde und Skulpturen der Welt - von Monets Seerosenüber Hilma af Klints okkulte Altarbilder und Botticellis Geburt der Venus bis hin zu Georgia O'Keeffes Jimson Weed. James Payne wirft in seinen klaren und leidenschaftlichen Analysen einen Blick auf Handwerk, Künstlerbiografien und historische Kontexte, um die Einzigartigkeit jedes Werks verständlich zu machen. So wird Kunst greifbar und zugänglich. Dieses Buch ist ein Must-read für Kunstliebhaber*innen und neugierige Einsteiger*innen, die die Schönheit und Bedeutung großer Kunst neu entdecken möchten. Ein inspirierender Ansatz, der zeitlose Werke in neuem Licht erscheinen lässt.

'James Payne's YouTube Channel "Great Art Explained" gained a huge and appreciative worldwide audience. This beautifully put-together book is simply the best introduction to the lifelong pleasure and rewards of looking at pictures since Gombrich. An instant classic' Stephen Fry Art appreciation made accessible, relevant and entertaining; writer, curator and YouTuber James Payne demystifies great works of art. Based on the popular and enormously successful YouTube channel of the same name, Great Art Explained unveils the fascinating stories behind some of the world's most iconic paintings and sculptures, proving that there's more to art than just watching paint dry. It can be thrilling, if you give it a chance. It is how you view the work, place it in context and understand its history that makes an artwork truly come alive. A fresh approach to a classic subject, James Payne's no-nonsense analysis sheds new light on thirty different masterpieces from around the globe and reveals what makes them truly timeless works of art. Each chapter delves into not only the art itself but also the artist's life, as well as the work's place in their wider oeuvre; in other words, what makes it 'great'. From Hilma af Klint's occult altarpieces to Claude Monet's Water Lilies, Botticelli's The Birth of Venus to Georgia O'Keeffe's Jimson Weed, each artwork is explored with clarity and passion. Whether a seasoned art enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this book promises to deepen your appreciation and enrich your understanding of some of the world's greatest treasures.