French author Claire d'Harcourt (Art Up Close, Louvre Up Close) wants to make very sure no one looks at da Vinci's semi-smiling Mona Lisa--or any other painting--without really seeing it. For anyone perusing her gorgeous, generously oversized Masterpieces Up Close: Western Painting from the 14th to 20th Centuries, there's absolutely no chance of that happening.
Each of the 21 full-color reproductions of paintings--from Giotto's 14th-century Scrovegni Chapel to Warhol's Marilyn (1964)--sits side by side with a set of specific, circled details from the painting in question--an eye, a dog's head, a globe, a chandelier. In Vermeer's The Artist's Studio, for instance, readers will see the small round image of a shiny two-headed eagle that's part of a chandelier, then look over to the painting to try to find where it is located. (A quick flip to the back reveals 21 lift-the-flap "keys" for any elusive ones, plus notes on each artist.) A brief caption discusses some historical, psychological, artistic or technical aspect of the visual detail. For example, The Artist's Studio chandelier caption asks the question: "How did Vermeer capture the sunlight that bathes the room?"
Not only is the "find the detail" activity fun in itself, this level of interaction encourages close scrutiny of these complex, often mysterious masterpieces, and should spur lively discussions about art and art history. As in many of the best books, Masterpieces Up Close asks more questions than it answers. --Karin Snelson, children's & YA editor, Shelf Awareness