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WHAT TO GIVE, WHAT TO GET 2001: Begin Your Holiday Shopping With Us PAST YEARS
THE ESSENTIAL NORMAN ROCKWELL by Collier Schorr Andrews McMeel ISBN: 0836219325 If you were to make a list of things most symbolic of America, somewhere near the top would have to be the art of Norman Rockwell. For our entire life span, his presence has been found in magazines, books, and posters. His classic illustrations for The Saturday Evening Post left an indelible impression on the collective American spirit. In THE ESSENTIAL NORMAN ROCKWELL Collier Schorr takes us through Rockwell's more than 80 years of chronicling the faces of America at home, work, play, and war. Although his own life was often laden with sadness, his art was intended to bring a smile to its viewer, and the numerous color illustrations included here will do just that. Some of the more memorable pieces will serve to remind you why he occupies a warm spot in the American consciousness. And you may be surprised to learn how courageous he was in incorporating volatile issues into his familiar artistry. With the renewed interest and respect that the art world is showing for his work, it's likely that your grandchildren's grandchildren will still be able to enjoy the masterful creations of this most American artist. Back to top.
THE ESSENTIAL PABLO PICASSO by Ingrid Schaffner Andrews McMeel ISBN: 0836219341 More than any other painter, with the exception of Matisse, Picasso is credited as the foremost innovator of Modern art in this century. As Ingrid Schaffner surmises, most anyone with a modicum of interest in art would recognize a Picasso. He's esteemed for a style so distinctive that nearly every group of artists tried to claim him as part of their movement. But unlike Matisse, Picasso's personal life was as colorful as his work --- most notably his many scandalous love affairs and bohemian behavior. Perhaps it was those very traits that made him constantly strive to reinvent his method of expression, yet retain a mastery of each style which he would recycle frequently. "It is remarkable how fluidly Picasso moves from one pictorial language to another" remarks Schaffner. And the abundance of colorful illustrations included in this book show clearly how successfully he manipulated them all. Ironically, it was during the period when he collaborated with Georges Braque that Braque developed two of the most important innovations of the century --- stencil and collage. However, it was Picasso who received the attention for taking each to the extremes of creativity. THE ESSENTIAL PABLO PICASSO will not only enlighten you on the contribution of this remarkable artist, but will entertain you with anecdotes on his ribald lifestyle as well. Back to top.
THE ESSENTIAL HENRI MATISSE by Ingrid Schaffner Andrews McMeel ISBN: 0836219376 The story of Matisse and his emergence as a leader of 20th century Modern art follows an unusual progression in comparison to his contemporaries. Matisse embraced art much later in life and showed a propensity to take each phase of his maturing style methodically and with more subtlety. With the aid of beautiful color illustrations, Ingrid Schaffner shows us that his work reflected a number of different movements throughout his career including Fauvism, Pointillism, Orientalism and Cubism; although he never totally embraced any of them. He remained on the perimeters of these movements always making an exceptional statement until his art finally became a statement in itself. As early as 1908, Matisse was already proposing the radical definition of "art as decor" which garnered him equal amounts of attention and criticism. Heavily influenced by Cezanne as well as fascinated with African tribal art, Matisse eventually evolved as the foremost colorist of the century. His brilliant palette rendered a powerfully unique impact that can be summed up in the simple statement of his rival Picasso: "All things considered, there's only Matisse." Schaffner delivers another superb volume in this unique series on artists of the contemporary world. Back to top.
THE ESSENTIAL EDWARD HOPPER by Susan Minot Abrams Art Books ISBN: 0810958058 Beginning with a brief outline of the major phases in Edward Hopper's career; Justin Spring, a critic with ArtForum magazine, dives into a deep analysis of the artist's personality and the events that influenced his paintings. Unlike other successful artists of the 20th Century, Hopper shunned the more popular movements into modern art and remained a steadfast "Realist" throughout his life. Spring defines the essence of the man and his work with visual references from the 52 illustrations depicted in this engaging narration. Haunting loneliness, urban decay and a voyeuristic view of ordinary people in bleak settings typifies this artist's style. Whether we understand or even like them, many of his paintings are instantly recognizable and his impact on 20th Century art is indisputable. Back to top.
THE ESSENTIAL VINCENT VAN GOGH by Ingrid Schaffner Abrams Art Books ISBN: 0810958139 The personal tragedies and triumphs of Van Gogh are legendary. Though the myths are somewhat dispelled by Schaffner, his life is still astounding. Depicted as a sad, solitary figure seeking meaning in his life, Van Gogh wandered aimlessly from one career to another until he found his true vocation in painting. His early years are marked by forays into the various schools of thought --- from Barbizon to Japonisme to Impressionism. Each style is explained in the context of his work to create an understanding of his emergence as a truly unique artist, leading the art world into the 20th Century. His mastery of bold complementary colors and thick impasto applications produced magnificent paintings that overflowed with vitality. Even though he created over 2,000 works in 10 short years, the real tragedy is that only one of his paintings sold during his lifetime. Among the 65 illustrations is the highly recognizable Sunflowers, the multimillion-dollar painting, Irises, and many of his 47 self-portraits. Back to top.
THE ESSENTIAL JACKSON POLLOCK by Justin Spring Abrams Art Books ISBN: 0810958090 The 20th Century saw a dramatic evolution within the art world as new, and innovative techniques were introduced. Jackson Pollock stands in the forefront of this movement toward more expressive, less traditional art in America. Justin Spring, a critic with ArtForum magazine, has compiled a complete biographical sketch of Pollock from his childhood to his death in 1956 at the age of 44. Exploring this deeply-disturbed personality, the author presents a concise overview of the radical and often uncontrollable artist searching for his inner self through his work. Credited as the leading artist in Abstract Expressionism, Pollock is best remembered for his creation of the "Drip" method which characterized his work at the height of his popularity. With 51 paintings presented throughout the text, Spring has provided a casual but exciting tour of the body of work Pollock created during his short, tragic life. Back to top.
WASHINGTON: The Spirit of America (Art of the State) by Nancy Friedman Harry N. Abrams ISBN: 0810955598 From Mount Rainier in the Cascade Mountains to the Space Needle in Seattle, the state of Washington is one of large vistas. It has a rich industrial heritage of lumbering, fishing and more recently, computers, thanks to native son Bill Gates. With a wealth of seafood and a constant supply of fresh produce, it has become a culinary center and home to new enterprises like the famous Starbucks coffee. Its towering forests and tranquil islands have spawned numerous writers like David Guterson and Raymond Carver; its cities boast a multitude of arts from the Mural-in-a-Day events to the international fame of Dale Chihuly's glass sculptures. An abundance of illustrations depicting the native arts and lush landscapes make this a delightful addition to The Spirit of America series. Back to top.
MASSACHUSETTS: The Spirit of America (Art of the State) by Patricia Harris Harry N. Abrams ISBN: 0810955601 American history owes a great deal to this original colony --- the first Thanksgiving, the first democratic government and the first university. It was home to Paul Revere, John F. Kennedy and scores of literary greats like Melville, Thoreau, Dickinson and Wharton. Americans are drawn here by the thousands to view the sites of the American Revolution or enjoy a quiet weekend on the shores of Cape Cod. From the oldest working artist colony at Rock Neck to the outdoor Hatch Shell where the Boston Pops Orchestra performs, Massachusetts has a rich cultural history, second only to its education. Harvard, MIT, Wellesley and Radcliffe are among the notable colleges and universities that have made this state a center of learning since the 1800's. Did you know the very first email originated in Cambridge? Loaded with fascinating trivia and a wealth of colorful artwork, this volume is an enjoyable stroll through America's heritage. Back to top.
VIRGINIA: The Spirit of America (Art of the State) by K. M. Kostyal Harry N. Abrams ISBN: 0810955628 Virginia's heritage whispers from the ghosts of America's past --- the Jamestown Colony, John Smith and Pocahontas, Washington, Jefferson, and Robert E. Lee. Known for a plentiful supply of statesmen, a total of seven presidents were native Virginians. But it's the landscape that moves us to quiet contemplation. Chesapeake Bay, Shenandoah Valley and the Allegheny Mountains are the images that inspire songs and novels. Genteel plantations have graced the fertile land for over 300 years. Chincoteague ponies still roam the beaches and marshlands. Virginia's waterways and wildlife are a painter's paradise. Today Mount Vernon, Monticello and the beautifully restored Williamsburg cohabit with less romantic sites like the Pentagon and Norfolk Naval Base. But regardless of how much you know about Virginia, Kostyal has collected a great many facts mingled with pagefuls of art that will guarantee enjoyment. Back to top.
OKLAHOMA: The Spirit of America (Art of the State) by Barbara Palmer Harry N. Abrams ISBN: 0810955636 Does Oklahoma arouse thoughts of great tribes of Indians? Well, it should. It should also bring to mind the great oil barons, because in the early 1900's Oklahoma was the largest oil-producing state in the country. It's an interesting mixture of native and boom-town settlements that formed the strength of its backbone then and now. Oklahoma's culture is embodied in the character of its people --- Wiley Post, Will Rogers, Gene Autrey, Jim Thorpe. Maria Tallchief was a prima ballerina for the New York City Ballet, N. Scott Momaday was a Kiowa novelist who won the Pulitzer Prize. Their ancestors came to the Oklahoma territory by way of the Great Land Run and the Trail of Tears. But despite endless hardships, they left a rich heritage that built a raw land into a productive state. Browse the colorful plates and the wonderful text and you'll find there's much more than a dusty plain in this part of the country. Back to top.
NEW YORK: Art of the State by Nina Sonenberg Harry N. Abrams ISBN: 0810955571 New York has been a center for the arts since WWI, and this little volume is packed with historical references and colorful illustrations to prove it. Sonenberg credits the explosion in art, music, architecture and fashion to a "happy accident of geography". The influx of immigrants through Ellis Island brought a wealth of dreamers and innovators together in one city --- Isaac Singer, George Eastman, Oscar Hammerstein I, Washington Irving. Upper New York State, with its lovely mountains and waterways, provided a lush setting for America's first national art from the "Hudson River Painters" --- Winslow Homer, Thomas Moran and Frederic Church. So settle back in your chair, (Shaker or Adirondack), and enjoy! Back to top. --- Reviewed by Ann Bruns (BkPageWC@aol.com) © Copyright 2001, Bookreporter.com. All rights reserved.