Diego Velasquez

Written by a British art critic with handsome illustrations printed originally in the Netherlands, this booklet is one in a series whose earlier issues include El Greco and Goya. It is a bargain, both for the beginner and for the mature art lover who likes to carry mementos of his favorite paintings with him on travels. The text combines biography, technique of painting, and criticism with succinct grace. There are twenty-four illustrations in color and even more in black and white, including a number of sketches. If the colors of the reproductions sometimes seem a bit brighter than those of the originals, this effect may be due to the fact that they had to be compressed to about the size of post cards. Seeing “Las Meninas” or the “Surrender of Breda” in this manner is rather like hearing Bach’s St. Matthew Passion on a clock radio. But portability has some advantages too.