David Hockneyas controversial book, now revised in paperback with thirty-two new pages of evidence Join one of the most influential artists of our time as he investigates the painting techniques of the Old Masters. Hockneyas extensive research led him to conclude that artists such as Caravaggio, VelAzquez, 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.

霍剋尼（David Hockney，1937- ），當今國際畫壇最具影響力的大師之一。他1937年生於英國。1953年進入布雷德福藝術學院學習繪畫兩年，爾後進入倫敦皇傢藝術學院學習，並獲該院金勒斯奬，1966年在剋斯明畫廊舉辦個人畫展。受現代主義思潮影響，創作瞭大量腐蝕 版畫，其中《浪子的曆程》最為傑齣，受到藝術界的重視。20世紀60年代多次到美國旅行，開始轉嚮寫實風格。代錶作《剋利斯多夫·伊修伍德和唐·巴查笛》和《剋拉剋夫婦倆》，含有深刻的哲理，使人迴味無窮。

霍剋尼能畫會寫，是畫傢兼理論傢的雙重身份。在最新齣版的《隱密的知識》(Secret Knowledge)一書中，他告訴讀者們，文藝復興時代眾多宗師的作品畫得那麼好，原來後麵深藏著許多不為人知的“隱秘”。達芬奇、拉斐爾、安格爾畫得好，是因為當時有瞭一種原理有如透視鏡的科學裝置來暗助臨摹，要是掌握到這門秘密的光學知識，工欲善其事，必先利其器，誰能捷足先登，誰就稱王。他也認為，荷蘭畫傢倫布朗從中國陶瓷的彩釉獲得瞭創作的靈感。如此大膽言論，馬上造成藝術界的沸然大波，理論傢甚至罵他是：“詆毀西方最偉大藝術傢的瘋子”。為此，英國廣播公司還引經據典，為他製作瞭一個75分鍾的長篇紀錄片。

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