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A review by jdintr
Albert and the Whale: Albrecht Dürer and an Artistic Quest the Understand Our World by Philip Hoare
3.0
I read this book a couple months after viewing a touring exhibit of Dürer's woodcuts at a local art museum.
As I read it, I tried to imagine what it would be like to tour such an exhibit with Hoare.
His enthusiasm would be a little off-putting. His isn't a merely intellectual attraction to the artist and the whale that enticed Dürer on a road trip down the Flemish coast. Roare is passionate about whales. He sees them everywhere--not just in Dürer's art.
His intellect would be enthralling. Dürer was an incredibly detailed artist--despite the medium of woodcuts, his works are populated with characters and flourishes. But Hoare is so invested in the art, that he can pull details out of details. Insights out of hidden flourishes. It would take all day to go through the exhibit at this rate, but the learning would be intense.
Roare's free associating would be hit or miss. He draws on so many sources: science, poetry, literature. The erudition is off the charts.
I'd recommend this book for those who already have explored an interest in Dürer--not enough in the English-speaking world, I'm afraid, more focused on French, English, and even Dutch art than Germany. Without at least some background, this would be a confusing read.
As I read it, I tried to imagine what it would be like to tour such an exhibit with Hoare.
His enthusiasm would be a little off-putting. His isn't a merely intellectual attraction to the artist and the whale that enticed Dürer on a road trip down the Flemish coast. Roare is passionate about whales. He sees them everywhere--not just in Dürer's art.
His intellect would be enthralling. Dürer was an incredibly detailed artist--despite the medium of woodcuts, his works are populated with characters and flourishes. But Hoare is so invested in the art, that he can pull details out of details. Insights out of hidden flourishes. It would take all day to go through the exhibit at this rate, but the learning would be intense.
Roare's free associating would be hit or miss. He draws on so many sources: science, poetry, literature. The erudition is off the charts.
I'd recommend this book for those who already have explored an interest in Dürer--not enough in the English-speaking world, I'm afraid, more focused on French, English, and even Dutch art than Germany. Without at least some background, this would be a confusing read.