The physics and materials science behind paintings: the pigments; binders; canvas; and varnish that go into making a painting appear the way it does. The text discusses the physical principles behind the colors seen and how these change with illumination; the various types of paint and binders used in both old and modern paintings; and the optics and microscopic structure of paint films. Chapters on dating; binders; and dendochronology have been contributed by experts in the respective fields.
#1118764 in eBooks 2006-04-18 2006-04-18File Name: B000PY3R42
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Vitruvius Britannicus (Book I)By Nico VelaThis is the first Series; book two is under Second Series.I found this indispensable as a future Architect. My personal favorite plate was the cover Photo; which is of St. Pauls Cathedral.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. great resourceBy CA romanticThis is filled with page after page of sketches illustrating the details of the woodwork and architecture of the time period. A great resource for writers!17 of 17 people found the following review helpful. An epoch-making book finally reprintedBy MartinPIts been a long wait; as the previous reviewer pointed out; until recently any one interested in this greatest classic of English architecture would have needed to deplete his bank savings in order to get a copy. Fortunately Dover (who else?) finally issued this beautiful reprint of the complete three volumes of Vitruvius Britannicus. For anyone interested in 18th century architecture or the English country house; there can be no greater delight - the reader; as Mr. Campbell in his introduction says he hopes; is indeed agreeably entertained with a rich array of elevations; floor plans; interiors and perspective views. All the greatest houses (Chatsworth; Blenheim; Castle Howard; Grimsthorpe; Drumlanrig; Houghton) are featured; as are many more modest ones; and some that were never actually built; were dramatically changed in later years; or were lost altogether (Lowther castle seems a particular painful specimen of the latter category; by the look of it). In addition; several public buildings (e.g. the Royal Hospital in Greenwich); as well as St. Pauls cathedral and; somewhat incongruously; St. Peters in Rome; are portrayed. The plates allow detailed study of the composition; proportions and decoration of these masterworks.As always; Dover also provides the full text of the original; which allows interesting insights into the social world of the early 1700s. The introduction; in which Campbell scolds Borromini for debauching mankind with his odd and chimerical beauties; and proudly proclaims Britain at least the equal of Italy in matters of architecture; is an entertainment in itself. The lists of subscribers show that no fashionable nobleman of the time could afford to go without his own copy.The plates are clearly and beautifully reproduced; on lightly cream-colored paper; without blemishes. My only niggle concerns the two-page spreads; of Castle Howard and Blenheim for instance; where inevitably the centerpiece of the composition is lost in the center fold of the book. Otherwise this is as good as it gets.