The Madman's Gallery: The Strangest Paintings, Sculptures and Other Curiosities from the History of Art
$29.36
Description
Book Synopsis: Enter The Madman’s Gallery and discover an extraordinary, illustrated exhibition of the greatest curiosities from the global history of art, featuring one hundred magnificently eccentric antique paintings, engravings, illustrations, and sculptures, each with a fascinatingly bizarre story to tell. Brought to light from the depths of libraries, museums, dealers, and galleries around the world, these forgotten artistic treasures include portraits of oddballs such as the British explorer with a penchant for riding crocodiles, and the Italian monk who levitated so often he’s recognized as the patron saint of airplane passengers. Discover impossible medieval land yachts, floating churches, and eagle-powered airships. Encounter dog-headed holy men, armies of German giants, 18th-century stuntmen, human chessboards, screaming ghost heads, and more marvels of the human imagination. A captivating odditorium of obscure and engaging characters and works, each expertly brought to life by historian and curator of the strange Edward Brooke-Hitching, here is a richly illustrated and entertaining gallery for lovers of outré art and history.
A GLOBAL SURVEY: Here are European painters who used ground up Egyptian mummies as pigment, examples of the antique Japanese art of Gyotaku (fish stone rubbings) using dried fish as printing plates, a Parisian art hoax featuring paintings actually created by a chimpanzee, and much more.
ODDITIES ABOUND: Depictions of the demon worms believed to cause toothaches carved into human molars: Check. A nude version of the Mona Lisa painted by the “bad boy” apprentice of Leonardo da Vinci: Here it is. The most admiring portrait of a cannibal likely ever produced: Presented in full color.
EXPERT AUTHOR: Edward Brooke-Hitching is a master of taking visually driven deep dives into unusual historical subjects, such as the maps of imaginary geography in The Phantom Atlas or ancient pathways through the stars in The Sky Atlas, imaginative depictions of heavens, hells, and afterworlds in The Devil’s Atlas, and the strangest books imaginable in The Madman’s Library.
Perfect for: Fans of beautifully illustrated works, art history, and unusual world atlas collections Readers of quirky history such as Schott’s Miscellany, Atlas Obscura, and the wildly popular QI series (for which the author is a writer and researcher) Gift for a graduate, teacher, or student of world history, art history, library science, archeology, sociology, or any discipline engaged in the exploration of curiosities and human nature
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Experience a journey into the eccentric and extraordinary with The Madman's Gallery: The Strangest Paintings, Sculptures and Other Curiosities from the History of Art. Uncover 100 magnificently bizarre antique artworks, each with their own fascinating story to tell. These forgotten treasures, brought to light from libraries, museums, dealers, and galleries across the globe, will ignite your imagination like never before.
Delve into the weird and wonderful world of art history as you encounter the portraits of peculiar individuals. From a British explorer riding crocodiles to an Italian monk who defied gravity, these extraordinary characters will captivate your attention. Marvel at impossible medieval land yachts, floating churches, and eagle-powered airships. And prepare to be amazed by dog-headed holy men, armies of German giants, 18th-century stuntmen, and screaming ghost heads. This captivating odditorium is a collector's dream.
As a global survey of the strangest art forms, The Madman's Gallery showcases European painters using ground-up Egyptian mummies as pigment, ancient Japanese fish stone rubbings known as Gyotaku, and even a Parisian art hoax featuring paintings created by a chimpanzee. This book is a treasure trove of oddities that will leave you in awe.
Written by acclaimed historian and curator of the strange, Edward Brooke-Hitching, The Madman's Gallery is a beautifully illustrated collection of obscurities. Prepare to be transported into the world of outré art and history. This book is perfect for lovers of the unusual, art history enthusiasts, and those who appreciate the unconventional.
Whether you're a fan of beautifully illustrated works, curious about art history, or looking to expand your world atlas collection, The Madman's Gallery is a must-read. It's an ideal gift for graduates, teachers, students, and anyone who enjoys exploring the depths of human curiosity. Join us in this peculiar journey by clicking here.
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