Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-12-- A readable, inviting introduction to the great master that is compelling in its narrative and presentation. The most helpful parts of the book are its excellent organization and the inclusion of analysis of some of da Vinci's important works, pointing to elements such as lighting, positioning of the figures, details of dress, and landscape to help viewers interpret these masterpieces. The explanations and superb quality reproductions show why his works are considered to be such great treasures of the world. Less formal sketches from journals and notebooks are also presented, giving readers a glimpse of the artist at work, as well as his work as a scientist and an engineer. Photographs of various locales that da Vinci visited or lived in provide readers with a sense of his world and his time; McLanathan further develops the evolution of art with thoroughness and grace. Granted that he began with a great subject, but his prose style is equal to the legendary quality of the artist. --Ruth K. MacDonald, Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, IN (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Skillfully blending critical commentary with information about the individual artist's life in the context of political or social history, each book features a flowing text extended and enhanced by a generous number of full-color reproductions. The result is enticing and informative. From HORN BOOK 1990, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A survey of the great painter's life, especially as it related to his art but also setting it in historical context and describing many of Leonardo's extraordinarily prescient inventions. Partly because Leonardo's oeuvre as a painter was smaller (many of his greatest projects were never completed), the works discussed here are better represented among the illustrations than was the case with the other entries in the new ""First Impressions"" series (Mary Cassatt, p. 1603/C-295; Marc Chagall, p. 1602/C-294). On the other hand, the text is more difficult: though the intriguing events of Leonardo's life are clearly presented, the discussion of his paintings' iconography is probably too scholarly for most young readers. Oddly, there's little mention of the role Leonardo's unquenchably creative use of materials played in the premature disintegration of some of his works, notably The Last Supper (subject of the book's eight-page gatefold). McLanathan conveys Leonardo's unmatched stature as the quintessential Renaissance thinker, but his complex personality remains more elusive. Beautifully illustrated with reproductions of paintings, drawings, etc.; a handsome resource. List of illustrations, documenting sources; no index. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
