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Max Beckmann: Tradition as a Problem in Modern Art
English (translation)Original German
135 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1984
2 people want to read
About the author
Hans Belting
78 books39 followersHans Belting is a German art historian and theorist of medieval and Renaissance art, as well as contemporary art and image theory.
He was born in Andernach, Germany, and studied at the universities of Mainz and Rome, and took his doctorate in art history at the University of Mainz. Subsequently he has held a fellowship at Dumbarton Oaks (Harvard University), Washington, D.C.
He was born in Andernach, Germany, and studied at the universities of Mainz and Rome, and took his doctorate in art history at the University of Mainz. Subsequently he has held a fellowship at Dumbarton Oaks (Harvard University), Washington, D.C.
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September 8, 2021
Belting does a superb job presenting Beckmann's overall project. Its written in an engaging and informative way. However, the book has not aged well and suffers from a limited scope. The fact that most paintings are in black and white is terrible, when one seeks to understand and see Beckmann’s work. Furthermore, I was disappointed that Belting limited himself by only interpreting a few paintings. In addition, though the book does no promise it, I think that a catalogue of Beckmann’s work would have been suitable. Nowadays, publishers likeTaschen are printing books of such incredible quality and scope that older books often do not seem on a par even if their scholarship is aclaimed. Cannot wait for Taschen's Beckmann book coming out this year. I hope it will do a better job at helping readers understand not to the overall project but a detailed understanding of Beckmann’s paintings.
Nevertheless, I do recommend this book. Belting's research has lead to a clear vision of Beckmann’s art that gives reader the necessary interpretative tools to contemplate Beckmann’s paintings. Beckmann is a truly fascinating painter, who manages to challenge a whole generation with his original art. In the book, Beckmann’s reflections on art are printed. It is fascinating to read the painter's own thoughts.
I leave you with a few marvellous quotes from Beckmann:
---”The important thing is first of all to have a real love for the visible world that lies outside ourselves as well as to know the deep secret of what goes on within ourselves. For the visible world in combination with our inner selves provides the realm where we may seek infinitely for the individuality of our own souls. In the best art this search has always existed. It has been, strictly speaking, a search for something abstract.”
---”Greatness can be achieved in every form of art; it depends alone on the fertile imagination of the individual to discover this. Therefore I say not only to the artist but also to the beholder: If you love nature with all your heart, new and unimaginable things in art will occur to you. Because art is nothing but the transfiguration of Nature.”
---”Art, with religion and the sciences, has always supported and liberated man on his path.”
Nevertheless, I do recommend this book. Belting's research has lead to a clear vision of Beckmann’s art that gives reader the necessary interpretative tools to contemplate Beckmann’s paintings. Beckmann is a truly fascinating painter, who manages to challenge a whole generation with his original art. In the book, Beckmann’s reflections on art are printed. It is fascinating to read the painter's own thoughts.
I leave you with a few marvellous quotes from Beckmann:
---”The important thing is first of all to have a real love for the visible world that lies outside ourselves as well as to know the deep secret of what goes on within ourselves. For the visible world in combination with our inner selves provides the realm where we may seek infinitely for the individuality of our own souls. In the best art this search has always existed. It has been, strictly speaking, a search for something abstract.”
---”Greatness can be achieved in every form of art; it depends alone on the fertile imagination of the individual to discover this. Therefore I say not only to the artist but also to the beholder: If you love nature with all your heart, new and unimaginable things in art will occur to you. Because art is nothing but the transfiguration of Nature.”
---”Art, with religion and the sciences, has always supported and liberated man on his path.”
Displaying 1 of 1 review