This jewel-like book of pen, wash and watercolor sketches by British artist Anne Desmet (born 1964) evokes the unmistakable landscapes and cityscapes of Italy. Best known for her engravings, linocuts and mixed-media collages, Desmet is also a dedicated draftswoman. She found herself working and sketching in Italy for the first time at age 25, in Rome on a scholarship. In this volume, comprised of selected illustrations from four of the artist’s sketchbooks, made over the course of many journeys to Italy over the past 25 years, the viewer experiences Desmet’s pen committing every detail to paper, and the small-scale format of the book emphasizes her distinctive flair for capturing the relationship between extreme foreground and distance. Anne Desmet: An Italian Journey is a unique opportunity to explore Italy, from the Apennines to the Veneto, through the eyes of a meticulous and precise artist.
