Secret Knowledge (New and Expanded Edition): Rediscovering the Lost Techniques of the Old Masters

For the points David Hockney is making here, the images are striking and his composition and text together make a compelling argument. I am an architect, have studied art techniques, and now identify more with the master painters after reading this book.

Item was as described. Delivered in a timely manner.

I especially liked and appreciated the use of photos and pictorial art in the narrative, design and message. It is AWESOME 🤩

It’s great to see a top artist write a book about his art. Everyone will benefit from this book. It is full of revelations. Showing you how to see, articulating what might be in your mind and all round balanced and refreshing. Well written. An easy read and who could ask for more than having a master select and show you paintings.If I was young and starting to learn about art and painting, this would be a foundational book.

The ability to see classic works of art through the eyes of one of the most interesting and influential artists of our time is why I bought this book. It is one art history that I have not been able to put down, and it has caused me to look at many of the classics in an entirely different ways.Even though I knew about many of the mechanical drawing apparatuses that have been employed at various times throughout history, Hockney explains them so well and shows so many examples that I feel as though I am learning about them anew. I was also intrigued that he touched upon one of the things that has forever intrigued me - why a reversed image looks so different from the original and that seeing an image one way and be infinitely more pleasing than seeing it reversed. He goes into much detail about this, and shows multiple examples, when he ponders over the high numbers of left-handed subjects in many old paintings. And that is just for starters.The number of visuals in this book rivals any that I have seen and, even though I have not counted, it certainly appears that visual examples outnumber text blocks by quite a bit. The visuals accompanying Holbein's "The Ambassadors" show exactly what so many people miss about it, and illustrates why the painting is mounted in such a way that makes it possible to view from the upper right corner. If you sit in that room in the National Gallery, you will notice that hardly anyone ever walks to that spot and looks - they have no idea what fun they are missing!On a personal note, it was delightful to read that Hockney has the same fascination with the Arnolfini portrait as I, and doubtless many other people, do, and also to learn why. And I think that's what art lovers will like most about this book - that they have occasionally noticed the same exact details that a great artist has also seen, and that indeed is a very exciting thing.

David Hockney is one of the greatest living artists today; not only for his art but also for his contribution to our understanding of art history. This book is testament to that very understanding. David breaks down the techniques of the masters and dispels most of the fictions of how art was made in ancient times. As an art student we wrote learned many things and were taught that the masters were just gifted individuals with divine powers. This is just not true. As an artist this fiction has gotten in my way for years when it came to making images. Why do things the hard way. David thinks there was another way. By showing us how with the use of different drawing aids and early projection techniques that the masters utilised the latest technology of their times as any rational professional would.Written in David's words the book is easy to digest and has no typical stuffy academic hubbub surrounding it. He is witty and informative making the book a pleasure to read.The book is a paperback and I wish I had a hardcover now, oh well. That said though the print quality is good and the paper stock is nice. Well laid out which helps you race through the content.A great book from a great man. Perfect for every student of art today.

Oversized 'coffee table' sized book but was not as advertised; very disapointed

Very well written. The pictures are beautiful and truly illustrate the ideas in this book.

Super high quality images and content, big, thick book at what I consider to be a great price. This is easily worth 80-100 usd and the knowledge inside is priceless. Unlike some other books I bought that are all basic and pretty boring, repeating and regurgitating stuff that has been said a hundred times before by others, this book is a real jewel Hard to put down

Excellent book, describes how early artists most likely used lenses to assist them in their painting and shows plenty of evidence. It also shows how photography influenced and changed the trend from realistic painting in some cases to a more abstract approach. Fascinating book for photographers and artists.

muy completo y con buena información

Excellent Book, great illustration and fast shipping!

Esta lleno de fotografias muy grandes y de buena calidad. Este libro esta mas grande y pesado de lo que esperaba.