Joseph Cornell: Wanderlust

by Lynda Hartigan (Contributor), Sarah Lea, Jasper Sharp

Joseph Cornell (1903–1972) was one of the 20th century’s leading exponents of collage and assemblage. A connoisseur of an astonishing array of subjects, Cornell’s captivation with bygone imagery encompassed astronomical charts and geographical maps, Italian and Spanish Old Master paintings, historical ballet, early film, literature, poetry and ornithology. Most iconic among his works are his box constructions―microcosmic curiosity cabinets―filled with once-precious fragments that he collected in thrift shops in his native New York.

Joseph Wanderlust is a landmark publication examining this remarkable work. It brings together some of Cornell’s most compelling assemblages and box constructions (including Medici slot machines, soap-bubble sets and animal habitats). The contributors raise questions about Cornell’s artistic processes while drawing parallels with historical modes of inquiry such as connoisseurship, exploration and classification.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Art Design

272 pages, Hardcover

First published July 6, 2015

Reviews

[Kimley]

Cornell's work is obviously very difficult to replicate in a print catalogue but this book does about as good a job as I think can be done. Nice clear photos of the work with many detail shots. It looks like there are over 100 pieces represented here.

This is definitely a must-have for the Cornell fan!

[?0?0?0]

A fuller, more proper review is coming . . . for now, this is an impressive collection, each of the artworks having a write-up on the page opposite is a bonus, something someone great once said "as you'd want in all your art books", well, yes.

Naturally, if you enjoy the artwork in here you're going to want to find when and where you can track down Mr. Cornell's work exhibited (as, I must admit, my respect/love for his work went up an incredible amount, all about that whimsical lighting he achieves, and those blues) as it will not be something worth ignoring. Too tired to write this

[Brian Krivisky]

Saw the exhibit at the Royal Academy and this book really does justice to the exhibit. Excellent illustrations ( the boxes are not easily captured in photos). Text is well written and insightful. The title itself captures the essence of the artist in a single word.

[Deb]

One I'll keep dipping into, just to look at the beautifully-produced illustrations of Cornell's artwork.