"With illustrations by the artist Gino Ballantyne, Slow Looking – Book One is the start of an eye-opening adventure"

“Lutterworth Press have produced a beautiful book by Robert Cumming illustrated by Gino Ballantyne”

Robert says: “SLOW LOOKING is part autobiography telling briefly how I came to discover the pleasures of looking at works of art. It is also part travelogue as I take you to Madrid, Tuscany, St Petersburg and New York to look at four famous paintings (Velazquez / Fra Angelico/ Canaletto / Jackson Pollock) that have had a great impact throughout my life. In the book I talk about them much as I might talk about famous people who have similarly, for better or worse, had a great influence”.

SLOW LOOKING, Book One, Learning to Look has already received many favourable comments.

Robert Cumming begins in compelling autobiographical vein, and then moves on to examine the four paintings whose scrutiny forms the heart of this book. He is in the business of making us look far more carefully than we usually do, but also wants to make us think very hard. He is triumphantly successful on both fronts, and it is arguably an even greater tribute to say that - for all that I sometimes found myself unable to agree with certain of his ideas - I never stopped wanting to turn the page.

Professor David Ekserdjian, Professor of History of Art and Film at the University of Leicester, Former Editor of Apollo Magazine

Robert Cumming is a wonderfully intelligent, civilised and illuminating guide to the adventure of looking at paintings. He trains a perceptive gaze on to old masters; and his bold analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of 20th century art is particularly refreshing and timely.

Philip Hook, Novelist, historian and former Director of Impressionist & Modern Art at Sotheby’s

Robert Cumming has spent his life encouraging people to look closely at works of art and experience them directly. In theory, looking at paintings is easy, but looking intensely and documenting the experience is not much done, or regarded as important, by art historians, nor is it encouraged by museums. This book is a primer in how to look — how to allow looking to develop by doing it with intensity and total concentration and not accepting what one is told by art historians. I strongly recommend it.

Sir Charles Saumarez Smith, former Director, National Gallery (London)

You are warmly invited to an early evening event and a glass of wine on

Thursday November 14th 6.30pm - 8pm

The Buckingham Bookshop

and Vinson Auditorium

University of Buckingham Vinson Building
21 Hunter Street

Buckingham MK18 1EG

to reserve a space contact

book.shop@buckingham.ac.uk

“Lutterworth Press have produced a beautiful book illustrated by Gino Ballantyne. His lively original drawings for the book will be on display”

The evening starts at 6.30 pm in the comfortable University Lecture Theatre when Gino and Robert will be in informal conversation with Alison Cameron who runs the excellent Buckingham Bookshop.

At 7.15 pm there will be a chance to mingle, enjoy glass of wine, purchase signed copies SLOW LOOKING, and browse the Bookshop.

Dates of the London Launch to follow