Rien Poortvliet Libri

The acclaimed Dutch painter and illustrator of the enormously successful Gnomes takes readers back hundreds of thousands of years to the Ice Age. Through more than 220 pages of full-color illustrations and incisive text, Rien Poortvliet presents an up-close look at real and imaginary Ice Age animals.

"The vivid illustrations of famed Dutch artist and naturalist Rien Poortvliet are admired all over the world. His warm and imaginative portrayals and stories of people, animals, or such fantastic creatures as gnomes are loved by readers of all generations. His countless fans will be enchanted by this intriguing new book, Daily Life in Holland in the Year 1566, And the Story of My Ancestor's Treasure Chest." "To create this latest gem, Poortvliet found inspiration in the rich legacy of Dutch landscape and genre painting traditions and in his own Dutch heritage as well. He became intrigued by a document dating from the year 1566 that revealed the existence of an armoire owned by his distant ancestor, Jacob Jansz Poortvliet. That armoire led Rien Poortvliet to come upon something valuable indeed - a treasure trove of insights into the world of his ancestor." "Characteristically evocative, the words and images in Daily Life in Holland are rich in detail and delicate in coloration, and perhaps the most beautiful of any of Poortvliet's works to date. In this fascinating saga, he recreates the lives of his forebears as they toiled and celebrated their way through daily existence. He does not conjure up a romantic vision of the past - the Dutch countryside was not all tulips and windmills! There were adversity and hard work, and we learn that 1566 was an extraordinary year in Holland, marked by famine and plague, great freezes, floods and droughts, comets and earthquakes, and an invasion by the Spanish as well."

Exploring the whimsical world of gnomes, this book reveals fascinating facts such as their unique reproductive habits and extraordinary strength. With enchanting illustrations by Rien Poortvliet and insightful commentary from physician Wil Huygen, readers are invited into the gnome family's underground life, filled with animal interactions. The blend of playful storytelling and tongue-in-cheek scientific observations captivates both children and adults, ensuring that the charm of gnomes continues to enchant new generations.

The illustrator of "Gnomes" imaginatively captures his own heritage in a stunning visual recreation of his family, ranging from an eight-year-old cowherd in the 1600s up through the present day

The author, a popular Dutch artist, presents paintings from his private collection and of new work of Noah's ark and its animals.

A mysterious box found in an old barn in Finland contains papers which detail how gnomes celebrate Christmas with games, music, food, and stories.