FEBRUARY 4–APRIL 29, 2007
Liber Veritatis
Beginning around 1635–36, Claude made highly finished copy drawings of nearly all his paintings in a bound sketchbook. Claude claimed he started the book—called the Liber Verititas, or Book of Truth—to discourage forgery of his work. It also served as a catalogue of his painted compositions, often recording the dates of their execution and the names of their owners. In developing new paintings, such as his views of Tivoli, Claude often turned to the Liber for inspiration. Over time these drawings became increasingly complex, almost like miniature paintings. Liber drawings in the exhibition are identified by a number indicating their position in the original sketchbook.
By Richard Rand
The book presents some of Claude's most remarkable drawings—including all aspects of his style and subject matter, from informal outdoor sketches of trees, rivers, and ruins to formal presentation drawings and elaborate compositional designs for paintings—many of which have never before been reproduced in color. A detailed and scholarly essay places them within the social and cultural contexts of their time and includes comparative illustrations of paintings and etchings to situate them within the artist's oeuvre.
228 pages, 9 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches
137 color illustrations
Published by the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in association with Yale University Press