Animal: A Beastly Compendium

by Valérie Sueur-hermel, Remi Mathis

This sumptuous book presents a selection of over one hundred stunning artworks, depicting animals real and mythical, from the prints and photography collections of the Bibliothèque nationale de France.

The work opens with a preface from celebrated cultural historian Michel Pastoureau, who considers the symbolic importance of animals to our dreams and imagination. Each image is accompanied by a commentary from one of the BnF's expert editorial team of curators and archivists, which provides information on the natural and symbolic history of the creature depicted. Featured artworks include such masterpieces as Dürer's rhinoceros, Manet's cats, a carp by Hiroshige and Matisse's swan.

This is a truly beautiful and authoritative collection of some of the most recognisable and accomplished works of animal-themed art, from the medieval period to the present day.

Genres: Art, Animals

168 pages, Hardcover

Published September 21, 2017

Reviews

[Denise Skilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book of details of all the different styles of art as fare as 1505, was very interesting to read. It captures the different animal art aspects from early days, and explains the meaning behind the art work. It also has interesting facts through the book about why some animals like pig never had portrayed in art, but manly birds, farm animals and pet was painted and drawn.
It was very interesting to look at the art styles in the 1505, on full size prints to see all the details.
If your interested in art this is a amazing book to read.