Vermeer and the Delft School (Metropolitan Museum of Art Series)
This rich and rewarding volume accompanies a wide-ranging  exhibition, which opened to deserved acclaim at New York's  Metropolitan Museum and is currently on view at the National  Gallery in London. Vermeer's popularity has continued to soar in  recent years, and this well-deserved recognition is validated in  this catalog, which brings 16 of his existing canvases together  with contextual information that explains the paintings as more  than works of an isolated genius. The book reveals the riches of  the 17th-century Dutch town itself, a center for patrons, art  dealers, and artists creating both decorative and fine arts. The  reader enjoys a neighborhood view of the offerings from the  studios of De Hooch, van der Ast, Bramer, van Vleit, and Steen.  The excellent essays by Liedtke and his fellow curators at the  Met and the National Gallery evoke the artistic life of Delft  from 1200 to 1700 and the rich history of the town's influence  on Dutch culture. Whether they are looking for an overview of  the period in Europe or for detailed information on an  individual canvas, library users will find this volume helpful.  Destined to become a standard reference, this is among the best  museum publications of the last decade. Recommended for all  libraries. Doug McClemont, New YorkCopyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.