Albert and the Whale

By Philip Hoare,

Book cover of Albert and the Whale: Albrecht Dürer and How Art Imagines Our World

Book description

A NEW STATESMAN BOOK OF THE YEAR
AN OBSERVER BEST ART BOOK OF 2021
SHORTLISTED FOR THE RATHBONES FOLIO PRIZE 2022

'This is a wonderful book. A lyrical journey into the natural and unnatural world' Patti Smith

'Everything Philip Hoare writes is bewitching' Olivia Laing

An illuminating exploration of the…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked Albert and the Whale as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

How to begin? In 1520, Albrecht Dürer, the most celebrated artist in Northern Europe, sailed to Zeeland to see a beached whale with the intention of drawing its likeness. But this fact is only the starting-off point for a memorably vivid journey that straddles countless subjects. Each chapter is anchored in a particular image by Dürer. There is a seamlessness to Hoare’s prose in this book and I marveled at his gifts of insight and observation.

From Eden's list on with a work of art as the narrator.

There are not many books where after reaching the end, I turn back to the beginning and start again. But this book is so fertile, so rich, so engaging, I simply couldn’t take in all of its wonderful richness in one go. Dürer has always been my artistic hero. Known for his portraits, of himself and others, I like the fact that he painted birds too, like his exquisitely observed European roller (both the whole bird and the separate wing). Philip Hoare’s sparkling text brings both Dürer and his birds to life.

From Tim's list on birds and ourselves.

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