When Betty Churcher retired as Director of the National Gallery of Australia her eyesight was beginning to fail. To commit to memory the beauty of her favourite paintings by the great masters, she travelled to many major galleries around the world, sitting, sketching and noting the intricacies of theses painting.
This small but lavishingly produced book is a summary of these notes with expanded descriptions, history of the artists and subjects. Photos of most of the paintings alongside the authors own drawings.
Like having your own personal guide ( )

Fabulous book by erudite and eloquent artist- Betty Churcher recounts her personal exploration of growing up with and through art. This book will open every reader's eyes to a fresh way of viewing art. The author is modest about her own skills as an artist but both as a practitioner and as an administrator/curator she exhibits a keen understanding of some of the major artists of Western Europe and their works. Her writing allowed me to experience something of the deeper appreciation of art gained by those, like Ms. Churcher, who have made Art the central focus of their professional life.

The author's biographical sketches are woven through her description of the works of Titian, Rembrandt, Courbet, Cézanne and others while touring the world's major galleries.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves Art.
James Pope ( )