Masterpieces of English Painting: William Hogarth, John Constable, J.M.W. Turner. Lent by His Majesty the King, the museums and collections of Great Britain. Oct.-Dec. 1946. Text by Sir Kenneth Clark. [Paperback] Chicago. The Art Institute of Chicago

Description

Paperback cover has some wear along the sides, scuffs and bending. Front has a small tear in the top middle. Corners have some creases. Spine has some reading creases and wear. Pages are clean and the binding is secure.

This vintage exhibition catalog from 1946 offers a fascinating glimpse into a landmark showcase of British art treasures in the aftermath of World War II. Organized by the esteemed Art Institute of Chicago, the exhibition brought together masterpieces by three towering figures of English painting: William Hogarth, John Constable, and J.M.W. Turner. The catalog’s text is authored by the renowned art historian and broadcaster Sir Kenneth Clark, whose influential television series “Civilisation” introduced millions to the wonders of Western art and culture.

Beyond its intrinsic value as a record of this significant post-war exhibition, the catalog holds particular interest for collectors and scholars of British art. Hogarth, Constable, and Turner represent the vanguard of English painting, each making indelible contributions to the development of the genre. Hogarth’s satirical and moralistic works captured the spirit of 18th-century urban life, while Constable’s landscapes revolutionized the depiction of nature with their unprecedented realism. Turner, the last of this trio, pushed the boundaries of Romantic painting with his atmospheric, luminous canvases that presaged the Impressionist movement.

Despite its well-worn condition, this catalog remains a treasured artifact for those passionate about the history of art exhibitions and the enduring legacy of these three titans of British painting.