Gran libro de los retratos de animales. (Great Book of Animal Portraits)

By staff -- Críticas, 7/15/2007

Gr 5+–Winner of Spain’s National Publishing Award, this large picture book is artistically distinguished. The 26 portraits provide slightly absurd takes on masterpieces dating from the early Renaissance to the early 19th century, with animals taking the place of the original human subjects. The portraits are all engaging: the lion doubling for Dürer’s self-portrait; the sheep with the white pearl, which niftily shows Vermeer’s command of light; Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson, conducted by frogs; and Holbien’s portrait of Henry VIII, with an owl as king. Each picture is accompanied by a sly commentary that often touches on the subject’s human foibles, like the fixation on wealth and power or the attempt to appear wiser than one is. The text includes title, date, size, and medium; and except for the title, the information given is all accurate for the original. There is, however, no attribution. This is a bit troublesome for the curious nonscholar; one could wish that a list of the original masterpieces was included at the end, like in Anthony Browne’s Las pinturas de Willy (Willy’s Paintings, Fondo de Cultura Economica, 2001). On the bright side, the lack of information may well send readers to art history books. An artist of considerable breadth and talent, Junakoviæ created flawless pictures that capture the luminous layering of paint and attention to detail of the originals. This is a great introduction to major Western artists, styles, and techniques. An excellent supplement for art programs, this is also a solid addition for elementary school and home libraries.—Ann Welton, Grant Center for the Expressive Arts, Tacoma, WA