Jan Lievens: A Dutch Master Rediscovered

Washington, DC: National Gallery of Art, 2008. Softcover. like new in shrink wrap. Color illustrated wraps. xi, 308 pp. over 200 mostly color plates. "Jan Lievens (1607-1674) was one of the most fascinating and enigmatic Dutch artists of the 17th century. Daring and innovative as a painter, printmaker, and draftsman, he created powerful character studies, genre scenes, landscapes, formal portraits, and religious and allegorical images that were widely praised and valued during his lifetime. This beautiful book, the first overview of the full range of Lievens' career, features more than 50 paintings - many of them newly discovered in private collections - and more than 75 prints and drawings, providing a reassessment of his place in the history of art." "Lievens began his career in his native Leiden, where he worked closely with his compatriot Rembrandt, who admired and collected Lievens' works. Lievens then moved to London, Antwerp, and Amsterdam, and his peripatetic career and multitude of working styles, say the authors of this book, may explain why his reputation today is not as high as it should be. This book offers a necessary corrective, returning to Lievens the esteem he deserves."--Jacket. Contents as follows: Jan Lievens: bringing new light to an old master / Arthur K. Wheelock Jr. -- Patronage for Lievens' portraits and history pieces; 1644-1674 / Jaap van der Veen -- Lievens' technique: "wonders in smeared paint, varnishes, and oils" / E. Melanie Gifford -- Jan Lievens and printmaking / Stephanie S. Dickey -- Drawings of Jan Lievens / Gregory Rubinstein -- Paintings -- Prints -- Drawings -- "I believe I have already mentioned Lievens' character in passing ... ": Personality as the key to the career and artistic vision of Jan Lievens / Lloyd DeWitt -- Constanijn Huygens on Lievens and Rembrandt -- Jan Jansz Oriers on Lievens.