ART TREASURES OF THE PINAKOTHER

The treasures of the Alte Pinakothek, shown in this retrospective survey honoring the June, 1957, reopening of the collection's doors after 18 years, include Titans from the most creative ages of Western civilization: but there is nothing from the French Impressionists and nary an English work. Within the collection of 15th and 16th century German works are paintings by Durer. Grunewald and Altdorfer. The early Netherlands' school is represented by Hieronymos Bosch, and Rogier van der Weyden. As Rubens dramatized the Bacchanalian revels of centaur and satyr in major mythological scenes and recorded forever his happiness with Helen Fourment, the second wife whom he so often painted, so did Gerard ter Borch, Jan Steen, Franz Hals and others interpret the gentle warmth of Dutch interiors, tavern scenes and the prosperity of Dutch burghers. From the munificence of 13th-18th century Italy come Giotto's woeful Christ on the Cross, Fra Angelico's tender Entombment, Fra Filippo Lippi's transcendent Annunciation and the lyric fragility of Leonardo's Virgin and Child. Murillo, Velasquez and El Greco, Chardin and Lorrain too are here. The many full color plates are demountable while the black and whites are an integral part of the book. As the author, director of the state picture collections, points out, Rubens is more profusely represented than Rembrandt, spokesman for the Counter Reformation. What would this book include, had wonder, had Germany won the war? Assessment of one of Europe's major collections. An important art reference work.