Ainsworth (Senior Conservation Research Fellow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art) examines the work of the great Bruges painter Gerard David (ca. 1455-1523), focusing on the motivating forces behind the startling changes in his work caused by shifting devotional practices, changing art markets, the accommodation of foreign art clients, and the evolving secular nature of painting demanded by the newly wealthy middle class in the early years of the 16th century. Illustrations, some 343 in all, include abundant comparative material, such as drawings and workshop copies, as well as 69 superb color reproductions. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR