{"title":"Julian Spalding","description":"\u003cp\u003eJulian Spalding’s works invite readers into a richly imagined world where beauty and human experience intertwine. His writing blends thoughtful reflection with compelling narrative, often exploring the subtle nuances of life through evocative prose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRooted in general fiction, Spalding’s stories offer both emotional depth and a keen insight into the nature of art and perception. Readers can expect thoughtful explorations that challenge and inspire, making his books a rewarding literary journey.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"beauty-by-julian-spalding-9781843682608","title":"Beauty","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Beauty is the beacon of God,' said Botticelli. 'No, it's not. Love is,' snapped his sister.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBeauty: Botticelli in Florence\u003c\/em\u003e imagines what Botticelli was feeling and thinking as he painted. The people he loved and despised, his private struggle between spirituality and sensuality, the tempestuous times he lived through all come to life in his images. The novel is a speculation based on the few facts known about Botticelli, informed by his paintings. There are many surprises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Birth of Venus\u003c\/em\u003e was a tapestry design. And his famed self-portrait didn't depict him (as widely believed) but Pierfrancesco de Medici, who sued his powerful cousin Lorenzo for robbing him, abolished Florence's homophobic witch-hunts, funded Vespucci's journey to the New World and commissioned Botticelli's most famous works. There was boiling tension between him and Botticelli.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the first in a sequence of illustrated 'painting novels' that make sights as telling as words.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Julian Spalding (born 15 June 1947 in Lewisham, South London) is an English art critic, writer, broadcaster and a former curator. Considered to be a controversial maverick and outspoken critic of the art world, he has frequently contributed to arts, news and current affairs programmes on radio and TV.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSelling Points:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eA novel based on the few facts known about Botticelli, informed by his paintings, \u003cem\u003eBeauty: Botticelli in Florence\u003c\/em\u003e imagines his thoughts and feelings as he painted them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e40 colour illustrations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47910612369644,"sku":"9781843682608","price":39.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}]}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/julian-spalding.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}