Drawn from a world-renowned collection, this accessible volume introduces readers to a wide range of works on paper from the 17th century. With a generous selection of etchings by Rembrandt van Rijn at its core, this catalog sheds light on a fascinating roster of artistic personalities of the late Mannerist and Baroque eras. San Francisco's Fine Arts Museums are home to an astonishing collection of graphic arts, including a vibrant holding of essential masterworks by Rembrandt - arguably his generation's most influential artist. This stunning book places Rembrandt's achievements in context, setting the stage primarily with prints and drawings from the turn of the 17th century and tracing the impact he had on his many followers. In a series of thematic sections, author James A. Ganz explores the rich print culture of the era, focusing on representations of artists and their world, portraiture, natural history, scenes of daily life, landscape, and subjects drawn from mythology and religion. This visually compelling survey balances the contributions of painter-printmakers like Rembrandt, Ostade, Castiglione, and Ribera against the works of such specialised graphic artists as Callot, Hollar, and Doomer. Filled with virtuosic engravings to ambient etchings, exquisite ink drawings to fanciful watercolors and more, this book illustrates the enormous range and appeal of printmaking and drawing techniques in Rembrandt's century. AUTHOR: James A. Ganz is Curator of the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. His publications include Arthur Tress: San Francisco 1964 and Impressionist Paris: City Of Light ILLUSTRATIONS: 130 colour illustrations
