Here's Looking At Me: How Artists See Themselves

by Bob Raczka

Fourteen famous artists' self-portraits illustrating their different styles and views of themselves.

Genres: Art, Picture Books, Childrens, Biography, Nonfiction

32 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book introduces fourteen artists by giving a clear introductory analysis on their self-portriats. Artists mentioned include Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), Henri Rouseau (1844-1910), M.C. Escher (1898-1972)and Chuck Close (1940-).

There are many self-assured painters like Diego Velazauez and Henri Rousseau. The former one does not paint himeself as the focus of the picture - Las Meninas, but hides himself off to the side. This implies that he is very proud of being a painter for the royal family, and he is always more important than he is. On the contrary, Henri Rousseau draws himself in the centre of the picture, who stands on top of a building with a background of the Paris landscape. The forefront position of the man contrasts with the smallness of the birdview of the city, the smallness of the ship and the Eiffel Tower far away from the ship. He is as high as the sky and as high as the hot air balloon!

The piece that I favour most is the lithographical one painted by M.C. Escher, Hand iwth Reflecting Sphere. The playful, mind-bending picture shows the real hand in front of the painter's eye and the reflecting image of himself and the room he's in, which is delicately interesting.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick art-history tour through self-portraits, this book helps tutor non-experts in what a painting can reveal about the painter. Raczka provides just enough background information to clarify things about the picture and just enough discussion about the paintings to provoke thought. I love the page on Las Meninas by Diego Velasquez. This masterpiece seems to have endless power to fascinate in different ways. He also includes two works by women painters of the Italian Renaissance that I was unfamiliar with, but does it in a straightforward way that isn't overtly political, which I appreciated. This book reinforces my view that children's books have value for all ages.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I previewed this book for a budding artiste I know, then quickly recommended to his mom that she check it out. I loved the paintings chosen by the author and the reasons why. How artists see themselves is no different in how people see themselves but how they express it is fascinating. The author did an excellent job in explaining terms and pointing the viewer to subleties in the paintings that can easily be missed. I was struck by the creativeness of each chosen work and appreciate how each of us can add something to the world that another cannot. When art speaks to me my heart sings.

[Benjamin N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Here's Looking At Me:How Artists See Themselfs was a very informative book about artists and how they view themselves and their work. It also showed a self portrait of each artist in the book. Another cool thing about this book is that though its short it somehow gets so much information into you after finishing the book. If anyone is looking for a short read about art then this is the book for you.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book, students will flock to the shelves looking for more substantial works on the artists presented within. As the meaning behind objects in the self-portraits is revealed through explicit instruction, students learn that art history is fun,fascinating and accessible. Nice layout and high quality color photos of the art add to the positive experience of reading this book

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. I guess any art teacher would love to have it in her class room

Each self-portrait had a page full of comments.

Included

Albrecht Durer
Sofonisba Anguissola
Artemisia Gentileschi
Diego Velazquez
Jan Vermeer
Francisco de Goya
Henri Rousseau
Vincent Van Gogh
Marc Chagall
Norman Rockwell
M.C. Escher
Jacob Lawrence
Chuck Close
Cindy Sherman

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

This title by Raczka was not as creative as some of his other ones. Several of the artists were obscure. I did like the commentary on Norman Rockwell's self portrait which includes self portraits of four other artists who were favorites of Rockwell's.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another of Raczka'a excellent art books. Instead of the simple text however he dedicates a page for an explanation of each self-portrait and why it is important to art history. I enjoy that he chose a range of paintings from early Renaissance to the present.