Martin Kemp Libri

The story behind the exciting discovery and authentication of an unknown masterpiece by Leonardo Da Vinci.

IT'S A LOVE STORY tells the incredible story of Martin and Shirlie Kemp - from the moment they set eyes on each other, through their stellar careers, to raising a family together. The book uncovers the personal highs and lows of Britain's favourite couple, and the unbreakable bond that has kept them strong.

A selection of sketches, diagrams, and notebook writings by the Italian Renaissance master offers insight into his theories and observations as well as his role in period art, town planning, science, and philosophy

Published to coincide with the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci's death

The Beaulieu Vanishing is a new standalone mystery featuring 15th century investigator Francis Cranley, first introduced in The Woodville Connection, May, 1473: Two years after his victory at the Battle of Barnet, Edward IV’s enemies are stepping up their attempts to bring about his downfall. Into this uneasy climate the King’s loyal brother, Richard of Gloucester, despatches Francis Cranley and Sir James Tyrell to Beaulieu Abbey where his mother-in-law, the Countess of Warwick, has been in sanctuary since her husband’s death at Barnet. Tasked with bringing the Countess home to Middleham Castle, they encounter difficulties when the Countess’s young attendant disappears. As he sets out to find her, Cranley uncovers subterfuge, murder and a conspiracy with the potential to unleash mayhem across the land.

Considers the business of picture-making in the Renaissance. In particular, the text discusses the role of the artist and the functions of works of art in relation to their various kinds of audience.

Martin Kemp, described by The Times as `the world's leading authority on Leonardo', relates his fifty-year relationship with the most famous artist of all time.

"This book provides an in-depth analysis of a work that can quite legitimately be termed "extraordinary". Drawn on vellum, in a complex and extremely refined technique, the profile portrait of a girl, dressed in the striking fashion of Milan at the end of the 15th century, turns out to be a possible new autograph work by Leonardo da Vinci. Leading Leonardo expert Martin Kemp has conducted his own research into this intriguing object and coordinated the work of numerous specialists from the fields of scientific analysis and art-historical discourse. Their findings are presented here"--Foreword

Cutting through the veil of legend, Martin Kemp offers an unparalleled portrait of this extraordinary man, asking what made Leonardo's work so astonishing and what vision drove his art and his invention. This updated edition is the first book to include two newly discovered Leonardo works, the most important discoveries in over a hundred years.

This work, one of the most lucidly written art history books in recent memory, addresses a topic of inherent complexity and great recent interest. Kemp (Univ. of St. Andrews), who has written on Leonardo, discusses perspective and optic theories as they related to the central problem of European painting for half a millennium, the verisimilar depiction of nature. The first part of the book discusses perspective theory and practice and the use of devices that led toward photography. In the second part, Kemp explores optic theories derived from Aristotle and from Newton and their theoretical and practical impacts on painting. The only minor cavil is the unclear order of the select bibliography; otherwise, this is a superb and thoughtful book, with a level of writing to which few can aspire. Highly recommended for general as well as special collections.-- Jack Perry Brown, Ryerson & Burnham Libs . , Art Inst. of Chicago.