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Cor Blok
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Book
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Publisher | Harper Collins | ||
ISBN | 9780007437986 | ||
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Reviewer
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Vicky
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Synopsis
This brand new full-colour art book reveals in sumptuous detail more than 100 paintings based on The Lord of the Rings by acclaimed Dutch artist, Cor Blok, many of which appear here for the first time.
Fifty years ago, shortly after The Lord of the Rings was first published, Cor Blok read the work and was completely captivated by its invention and epic storytelling. The breadth of imagination and powerful imagery inspired the young Dutch artist, and this spark of enthusiasm, coupled with his desire to create art that resembled a historical artefact in its own right, led to the creation of more than 100 paintings.
Following an exhibition at the Hague in 1961, JRR Tolkien's publisher, Rayner Unwin, sent him five pictures. Tolkien was so taken with them that he met and corresponded with the artist and even bought some paintings for himself.
The series bears comparison with the Bayeux Tapestry, in which each tells an epic and complex story in deceptively simple style, but beneath this simplicity lies a compelling and powerful language of form that becomes more effective as the sequence of paintings unfolds.
The full-colour paintings in this new book are presented in story order so that the reader can enjoy them as the artist intended. They are accompanied by extracts from The Lord of the Rings and the artist also provides an extensive introduction illuminating the creation of the series and notes to accompany some of the major compositions. Many of the paintings appear for the very first time.
Readers will find Cor Blok's work refreshing, provocative, charming and wholly memorable - the bold and expressive style that he created stands as a unique achievement in the history of fantasy illustration. Rarely has an artist captured the essence of a writer's work in such singular fashion; the author found much to admire in Cor Blok's work, and what higher accolade is there?
Review
I found 'A Tolkein Tapestry' absolutely fascinating. I had never heard of Dutch artist Cor Blok before, but I would say that this is an extraordinary book on how a story (Lord of the Rings trilogy) can effect and inspire one man to produce this body of work which was exhibited in the Hague in 1961. Tolkein was so impressed by the five paintings his then publisher sent him that he even bought some - and went on to meet the artist as well.
The paintings on silk paper are rich and evocative - I find I want to look at each picture in depth for many moments, turn the page and be even more enthralled at the different colours of the next plate. It makes me want to make a quilt or crochet an afghan in these colours - I think probably because the colours are clearly defined - to me - and the pictures simple in style.
Do I understand all the interpretations that Cor Blok has done of various scenes from 'Lord of the Rings' - no - but I have enjoyed learning about the many aspects that went into creating the paintings.
This is most definitely a book that I find inspiring and will return to it many times to absorb its richness, colour and text. But nothing is perfect and fro me - the perfection is in the imperfection of Blok's style.
I highly recommend it.
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