National Gallery of Art: Washington (World of Art)

This is a handy volume in the familiar format of the "World of Art" series showcasing the major pieces of this major collection of Western art. Over 300 pieces are illustrated, generally one to a page, with 50-150 words of text written by Gallery staff. The organization is by period or school (German painting, French painting of the later XIX century, etc.), and each section has a one-page general introduction. Not quite laid out to be a gallery guide--no maps or plans are given--this still serves as a very good introduction to the major works. The illustrations, small as required by the series format, are good. Other larger, more extensive books exist on the Gallery's collections, but this is excellent value. Recommended for larger collections. - Jack Perry Brown, Art Inst. of Chicago Lib. Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. (review posted on Amazon.com)

The collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington includes works by the greatest masters of Western art from the twelfth century to the present. In terms of quality and scope, the Gallery ranks among the finest museums in the world, and its treasures are viewed by over six million visitors each year. The only painting in America by Leonardo da Vinci is found here, as are works by Titian, El Greco, Rembrandt, Fragonard, Manet, Van Gogh, Renoir, and Picasso, not to mention a wealth of American painting, centuries of achievements in sculpture and the decorative and graphic arts, and an expanding array of contemporary art. The works in this comprehensive survey are illustrated in full cover, and the texts have been written by the curators. 312 illus., 309 in color.