The dubious idea pays off, as odd juxtapositions of stupendous Rembrandts and Vermeers with radiant lesser masters (and intriguing faux Rembrandts) jolt the pictures to fresh attention.
Nowadays Anand remains a serious contender in elite tournaments where in-depth opening preparation is a major factor but he has become more vulnerable in dogfights, even against lesser masters.
The same qualities came increasingly to the fore in a series of five prophet statues that Donatello did beginning in 1416 for the niches of the campanile, the bell tower of the cathedral (all these figures, together with others by lesser masters, were later removed to the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo).
Today FIDE, the World Chess Federation, often awards the Grandmaster title to players with Elo ratings of 2500 and above, and the lesser International Master and FIDE Master titles to players rated at least 2400 and 2300, respectively.
Although the art collection there is world famous and includes 10 paintings by Van Dyck, 12 by Reynolds, 3 Gainsborourghs and a room wallpapered with 24 Canalettos, this painting was not considered anything special, just one of scores of lesser old masters lining the walls.
What's the story?: Charles Baxter is a lesser-known master of the short story.
But lesser-known masters like Simon Vouet, Eustache Le Sueur and Charles LeBrun are also included.
But lesser-known masters like Simon Vouet, Eustache Le Sueur and Charles Le Brun are also included.
The only way to find good paintings, he says, is to look among the works of lesser-known masters who escaped the 19th-century restoration frenzy.
In the last few decades, much of the Baroque repertory — the operas and sacred music of composers like Monteverdi, Purcell and Gluck, as well as that of lesser-known masters — has enjoyed a widespread revival.
