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David Hockney
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Secret Knowledge (New and Expanded Edition): Rediscovering the Lost Techniques of the Old Masters Paperback – October 5, 2006

by David Hockney (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 233
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Join one of the most influential artists of our time as he investigates the painting techniques of the Old Masters. Hockney’s extensive research led him to conclude that artists such as Caravaggio, Velázquez, da Vinci, and other hyperrealists actually used optics and lenses to create their masterpieces.

In this passionate yet pithy book, Hockney takes readers on a journey of discovery as he builds a case that mirrors and lenses were used by the great masters to create their highly detailed and realistic paintings and drawings. Hundreds of the best-known and best-loved paintings are reproduced alongside his straightforward analysis. Hockney also includes his own photographs and drawings to illustrate techniques used to capture such accurate likenesses. Extracts from historical and modern documents and correspondence with experts from around the world further illuminate this thought-provoking book that will forever change how the world looks at art.

Secret Knowledge will open your eyes to how we perceive the world and how we choose to represent it.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    336 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Avery
  4. Publication date
    October 5, 2006
  5. Dimensions
    9.4 x 1.09 x 11.8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0142005126
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0142005125
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

When looking at pictures, one can have no more stimulating and provocative companion than Hockney. ("The Times Literary Supplement", London)

About the Author

David Hockney was born in England in 1937 and studied at the Royal College of Art. He achieved international acclaim by his mid-twenties as part of the pop art movement and has gone on to become one of the best known artists of his generation.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Avery; Expanded edition (October 5, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0142005126
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0142005125
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.24 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.4 x 1.09 x 11.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 233

About the author

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David Hockney

David Hockney

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
233 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

SueP
5.0 out of 5 stars Drawing Painting Techniques
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
Lovely book. Well and properly packaged. Arrived in excellent condition.
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Avid Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars So many great photos of art work!
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2023
Verified Purchase
The first half of the book is filled with photos of art work to support the thesis that artists were using camera obscura and camera lucida. The progression is fascinating to follow. The second half uses documentary evidence.
4 people found this helpful
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Curious Epicure
5.0 out of 5 stars Seeing the masters through Hockney's eyes: a unique and wonderful experience. I adore this book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2016
Verified Purchase
The ability to see classic works of art through the eyes of one of the most interesting and influential artists of our time is why I bought this book. It is one art history that I have not been able to put down, and it has caused me to look at many of the classics in an entirely different ways.

Even though I knew about many of the mechanical drawing apparatuses that have been employed at various times throughout history, Hockney explains them so well and shows so many examples that I feel as though I am learning about them anew. I was also intrigued that he touched upon one of the things that has forever intrigued me - why a reversed image looks so different from the original and that seeing an image one way and be infinitely more pleasing than seeing it reversed. He goes into much detail about this, and shows multiple examples, when he ponders over the high numbers of left-handed subjects in many old paintings. And that is just for starters.

The number of visuals in this book rivals any that I have seen and, even though I have not counted, it certainly appears that visual examples outnumber text blocks by quite a bit. The visuals accompanying Holbein's "The Ambassadors" show exactly what so many people miss about it, and illustrates why the painting is mounted in such a way that makes it possible to view from the upper right corner. If you sit in that room in the National Gallery, you will notice that hardly anyone ever walks to that spot and looks - they have no idea what fun they are missing!

On a personal note, it was delightful to read that Hockney has the same fascination with the Arnolfini portrait as I, and doubtless many other people, do, and also to learn why. And I think that's what art lovers will like most about this book - that they have occasionally noticed the same exact details that a great artist has also seen, and that indeed is a very exciting thing.
54 people found this helpful
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peggyinutah
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Layout
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2023
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For the points David Hockney is making here, the images are striking and his composition and text together make a compelling argument. I am an architect, have studied art techniques, and now identify more with the master painters after reading this book.
4 people found this helpful
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Lawndog
4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2019
Verified Purchase
Very well payed out and very sound theory and it will forever change how you admire art through out history.
2 people found this helpful
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hari deva
5.0 out of 5 stars Everything Hockney
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book is so inspiring, I learned so much about Hockney. I truly love his work an exceptional artist.
One person found this helpful
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Kathleen O’Hara
5.0 out of 5 stars It’s the real deal.
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
It’s great to see a top artist write a book about his art. Everyone will benefit from this book. It is full of revelations. Showing you how to see, articulating what might be in your mind and all round balanced and refreshing. Well written. An easy read and who could ask for more than having a master select and show you paintings.
If I was young and starting to learn about art and painting, this would be a foundational book.
9 people found this helpful
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Ralph Curton Jr
5.0 out of 5 stars Art history at it’s BEST !!!
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2023
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I especially liked and appreciated the use of photos and pictorial art in the narrative, design and message. It is AWESOME 🤩
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Rene Gaston Aguilar Bobrovich
5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK FOR ART LOVER AND A MUST FOR CINEMATOGRAPHERS
Reviewed in Mexico on February 8, 2024
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GREAT BOOK FOR ART LOVER AND A MUST FOR CINEMATOGRAPHERS
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Brian Stanton
5.0 out of 5 stars Quality product
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 12, 2021
Verified Purchase
Beautiful images, fabulous content
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Robert C. Berdan
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating book about How lenses were used in Art
Reviewed in Canada on November 28, 2019
Verified Purchase
Excellent book, describes how early artists most likely used lenses to assist them in their painting and shows plenty of evidence. It also shows how photography influenced and changed the trend from realistic painting in some cases to a more abstract approach. Fascinating book for photographers and artists.
One person found this helpful
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Lis Steeden
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book...
Reviewed in France on August 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
Very interesting to read how David Hockney compare notes with old and more recent masters...he opens your eyes to sooo many interesting things...
One person found this helpful
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andrew osta
5.0 out of 5 stars amazing book that will be of interest to serious artists or those who appreciate art
Reviewed in Mexico on April 25, 2022
Verified Purchase
Super high quality images and content, big, thick book at what I consider to be a great price. This is easily worth 80-100 usd and the knowledge inside is priceless. Unlike some other books I bought that are all basic and pretty boring, repeating and regurgitating stuff that has been said a hundred times before by others, this book is a real jewel Hard to put down
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