From Van Eyck to Bruegel. Early Netherlandish Painting in The Metropolitan Museum of Art

From about 1425, artists in the region which is now Belgium and The Netherlands created paintings which were startling in their realism and innovative approach. Published to accompany an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, this book celebrates one of the great epochs of western art, from the work of the inventor of oil painting, Jan van Eyck, to that of the highly original genius, Peter Bruegel. More than 100 colour reproductions, with individual commentaries, present the accomplishments of the major figures of the period, including Robert Campin, Rogier van der Weyden, Gerard David and Hans Memling. Essays by specialists in the field discuss various aspects of the subject, and biographies are provided for all the artists represented, together with comparative illustrations of prints and paintings from collections other than that of The Metropolitan. This profusely illustrated exhibition catalogue focuses on the comprehensive collection of major early Netherlandish works in the Metropolitan Museum, including accomplishments of virtually every key figure of the period. The volume contains commentaries on individual works, essays on broad issues, and an illustrated appendix of paintings not covered in the text. -- Metropolitan Museum of Art website