The front cover has a small crease at the lower outer edge, there is an inscriptionon the front paste down ' March 1994 ex Good Book Guide, London', above that there is an ownership signature which has been covered innblack ink; the front paste down also suffers from very minor insect damage. Beyond that the book is immaculate. Published in association with National Gallery Publications. "Poems inspired by paintings in the National Gallery, London. Paul Durcan " .... was shortlisted in 2005 for the Poetry Now Award for his collection, The Art of Life. In 2009, he was conferred with an honorary degree by Trinity College, Dublin Durcan was the Ireland Fund Artist-in-Residence in the Celtic Studies Department of St. Michael's College at the University of Toronto in October 2009.In 2011 Durcan was conferred with an honorary doctorate from University College Dublin..... Durcan is a member of Aosdána. A number of poems from Durcan's poetry career is studied by Irish students who take the Leaving Certificate." (Wikipedia)