The Louvre: Fifty Plates in Colour

"The Louvre: Fifty Plates in Colour" by Paul G. Konody and Maurice W. Brockwell is an illustrated art volume written in the early 20th century. The work focuses on the vast collection housed in the Louvre Museum, highlighting its historical significance and featuring detailed analyses of numerous paintings from various artists and schools. The book delves into notable artworks, possibly including famous pieces like the "Mona Lisa" and aims to provide readers with insights into the evolution of artistic styles represented in the museum. At the start of the text, the authors present a preface that outlines their intention to systematically study the paintings in the Louvre, addressing artists by their widely recognized names rather than official catalog labels. They emphasize the importance of critical analysis concerning the attribution of works, especially concerning Italian paintings, and the role of historical context in interpreting these art pieces. The introduction details the historical development of the Louvre as a royal collection, featuring anecdotes about significant monarchs, such as François I, who laid the foundation for the art collection, and provides brief insights into individual artists and their contributions within the museum’s esteemed collection. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Paul George Konody was a Hungarian-born, London-based art critic and historian, who wrote for several London newspapers, as well as writing numerous books and articles on noted artists and collections, with a focus on the Renaissance. A recognized expert on the art of the Renaissance, he was lauded for his evaluation of claims of authenticity for works from that period, correctly debunking Wilhelm von Bode's assertion that a bust of Flora was sculpted by Leonardo da Vinci. During World War I, Konody became interested in the representation of war in the arts, and directed an effort to commemorate Canadian participation in that war.