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Sister Wendy's 1000 Masterpieces
Covering over nine centuries of paintings in the western world, this book which is organised alphabetically focuses on world famous works by artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo and Turner. Sister Wendy focuses on subject matter, technique and other key elements of each major work. Many artists are represented by two paintings on double-page spreads. A featured works section gives the reader the location of each masterpiece.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
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About the author
Wendy Beckett
110 books130 followersSister Wendy Beckett was a South African-born British art expert, Roman Catholic nun, and contemplative hermit who became an unlikely celebrity during the 1990s, presenting a series of acclaimed art history documentaries for the BBC.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 30, 2016
Sister Wendy is utterly charming and, even better, she knows her stuff. She writes in a simple, engaging style that is a pleasure to read. Wonderful book.
January 22, 2009
A wonderful coffee table book, with colorful reproductions of art and Sister Wendy's comments...although rather unwieldy. It's huge.
It's set up alphabetically, with each artist getting a page, with 2 to 3 pictures on each page, each picture accompanied by Sister Wendy's comments. I'll now deconstruct point by point.
The alphabetical nature kind of got to me. I think it should have been divided by era or style, because having a postmodernist artist next to a baroque era artist on a 2 page spread was pretty jarring.
Limiting each artist to 1 page was pretty severe when it came to artists like Monet or Renoir (I just gave myself away as an Impressionist fan). I couldn't help thinking, 'well these 2 pictures are nice, but what about his Water-lilies, etc.' Of course, tastes vary, so it is very democratic to just say 1 page no matter what, instead of making some fans happy that such-and-such artist got more pages, and not another.
2-3 pictures per page, with comments, and a large blurb at the top of the page. Of course the book is quite large, but none the less, the pictures were way too small. Somewhere between the size of your palm, for the small ones, to your palm and fingers at the largest (I'm not good at guesstimating in inches). For some of the simpler pictures it was sufficient, but on the whole, the pictures really weren't big enough to see any of the details.
I loved her comments. I've never seen her show before, but she gave amazing insight into the pictures, with just a bare minimum of words. ...I have to say though, she's surprisingly randy for being a nun! The way she described some of the nudes (and especially prepubescent girls!?!) in the paintings was humorously shocking.
I have to end with a comment my Dad made after looking through the book during a visit. He said, "It's amazing how many of these artists are really good, but no one hears about them these days." With his words in mind, I also picked up on that when I looked through the book. Have you ever heard of Dosso Dossi, Caesar van Everdingen, Carel Fabritius, or Karel Dujardin? I know I haven't, but they're all quite good. In fact, it might actually be a great thing that each artist is limited to 1 page. Because of the breadth, this book works as a giant teaser, to help you find artists that you like, so you can then look up more of their artwork.
It's set up alphabetically, with each artist getting a page, with 2 to 3 pictures on each page, each picture accompanied by Sister Wendy's comments. I'll now deconstruct point by point.
The alphabetical nature kind of got to me. I think it should have been divided by era or style, because having a postmodernist artist next to a baroque era artist on a 2 page spread was pretty jarring.
Limiting each artist to 1 page was pretty severe when it came to artists like Monet or Renoir (I just gave myself away as an Impressionist fan). I couldn't help thinking, 'well these 2 pictures are nice, but what about his Water-lilies, etc.' Of course, tastes vary, so it is very democratic to just say 1 page no matter what, instead of making some fans happy that such-and-such artist got more pages, and not another.
2-3 pictures per page, with comments, and a large blurb at the top of the page. Of course the book is quite large, but none the less, the pictures were way too small. Somewhere between the size of your palm, for the small ones, to your palm and fingers at the largest (I'm not good at guesstimating in inches). For some of the simpler pictures it was sufficient, but on the whole, the pictures really weren't big enough to see any of the details.
I loved her comments. I've never seen her show before, but she gave amazing insight into the pictures, with just a bare minimum of words. ...I have to say though, she's surprisingly randy for being a nun! The way she described some of the nudes (and especially prepubescent girls!?!) in the paintings was humorously shocking.
I have to end with a comment my Dad made after looking through the book during a visit. He said, "It's amazing how many of these artists are really good, but no one hears about them these days." With his words in mind, I also picked up on that when I looked through the book. Have you ever heard of Dosso Dossi, Caesar van Everdingen, Carel Fabritius, or Karel Dujardin? I know I haven't, but they're all quite good. In fact, it might actually be a great thing that each artist is limited to 1 page. Because of the breadth, this book works as a giant teaser, to help you find artists that you like, so you can then look up more of their artwork.
February 17, 2023
While I can't say I am going to pick up painting anytime soon or that this book inspired me to go into art history, Sister Wendy, whether through this book or through clips of her shows that I see online, always amazes me. She can gather meaning and/or emotions from the most seemingly stuffy still life from the baroque to the most "simplistic" and abstract of modern art. But the difference between her and other art critics/historians that I have heard from is that I genuinely believe that she is experiencing these feelings when she takes in this art, and her authority is cemented by her knowledge of the artist's lives and personalities and of the history of the time and place they lived in. She is not afraid to say that a painting challenges her or that there simply isn't a "meaning" and that it is just something to be experienced, and that that is perfectly valid. If you have never experienced Sister Wendy's gentle brilliance, as many people of my age group probably haven't, I highly recommend you check her out!
May 30, 2008
This is one of my favorite books; not just because I love art but because I dig Sister Wendy's knowledgeable commentary. She's one hip nun and this is a wonderful introduction to the world of art history and the vast beauty of the visual arts for anyone of any age.
April 16, 2009
This book is a lovely place to spend time. Sister Wendy considers art with an open mind and eager eyes and she never fails to give me new appreciation and understanding of artists' work.
September 18, 2011
Sister Wendy's simpering simplicities drive me nutz!
back-burner
March 14, 2022I have a copy next to the couch and a magnifying glass in the drawer of the end table. If I'm a good boy, I relax and study a couple of pages. Sooooo gooood!
November 4, 2022
Here's a good portion of that Art Appreciation 101 that you chose not to take.
The coffee table-size tome is like a tour of the world's great art museums with an art scholar, which of course the author is, someone who knows the craft, the history, plus the personalities, the quirks and the specialties of the painters.
Personally, I quibbled with some of her selections, but I understand the daunting task she took up. Sister Wendy even gave me a but more insight into what some of the abstract artists — Rothko, Pollock, Motherwell, Rothenberg, to name a few — were expressing with their works, especially one where she wrote, the artist had "an almost apostolic zeal to divest painting of what he considered to be its trappings: its desire to be beautiful, its thrust for meaning, and its sense of significance."
My first thought? Then why do it?
The 1,000 works she presents include, for me, too many portraits, but of course that's what put food on the table for so many artists. The real grace, though, is the chance to better understand so many great paintings, and Sister Wendy makes that happen on just about every page.
The coffee table-size tome is like a tour of the world's great art museums with an art scholar, which of course the author is, someone who knows the craft, the history, plus the personalities, the quirks and the specialties of the painters.
Personally, I quibbled with some of her selections, but I understand the daunting task she took up. Sister Wendy even gave me a but more insight into what some of the abstract artists — Rothko, Pollock, Motherwell, Rothenberg, to name a few — were expressing with their works, especially one where she wrote, the artist had "an almost apostolic zeal to divest painting of what he considered to be its trappings: its desire to be beautiful, its thrust for meaning, and its sense of significance."
My first thought? Then why do it?
The 1,000 works she presents include, for me, too many portraits, but of course that's what put food on the table for so many artists. The real grace, though, is the chance to better understand so many great paintings, and Sister Wendy makes that happen on just about every page.
September 16, 2019
Only one or two per artist, but what a great collection
April 21, 2021
Just the book to read a few pages at a time; the reproductions are very good, and I enjoy this author. Sometimes, though, it seems like she must have included artwork to be politically correct.
September 13, 2022
An incredible book! So many beautiful works from so many places and eras.
April 29, 2024
Finally done! What a fantastic book! Organized alphabetically by artist, she covers A LOT, and her short and insightful reviews provide great information about the artists and the paintings.
January 25, 2013
I'm still in my FIVE STARS FOR ANY BOOK I HAPPEN TO TAKE THE TIME TO READ/REVIEW phase, but Sister Wendy is a good example of one reason I'm against the rating system, because her philosophy seems to be that art is a liberating experience in which one is allowed to like what one likes no matter what others like.
Anywho, I'd say that this is a good substitute for her telly programs (here's an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0g3nA... ), although I'm not sure if one hasn't caught Sister Wendy on the small screen they'd quite 'get' her unbelievable awesomeness - she's the kind of person I'd love to sit down with over coffee and yak away with.
Oh yeah, regards to the actual book: wonderful selections - I tend to share Sister Wendy's preferences - although I wish some of the smaller images were bigger; also, I noticed that I actually preferred some of these images to the original artwork, so it goes.
Sister Wendy forever and a day!
Anywho, I'd say that this is a good substitute for her telly programs (here's an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0g3nA... ), although I'm not sure if one hasn't caught Sister Wendy on the small screen they'd quite 'get' her unbelievable awesomeness - she's the kind of person I'd love to sit down with over coffee and yak away with.
Oh yeah, regards to the actual book: wonderful selections - I tend to share Sister Wendy's preferences - although I wish some of the smaller images were bigger; also, I noticed that I actually preferred some of these images to the original artwork, so it goes.
Sister Wendy forever and a day!
May 26, 2011
To say that I read this in 2007 isn't the best thing. I've read it several times, but it's one of those books that you don't read cover to cover. It's an art history book in which Sister Wendy Beckett (savior of most art history majors, so I hear) analyzes 1000 pieces of artwork, mostly paintings, since people started painting all the way into the present day. Personally I'm not really a fan of medieval, renaissance, baroque, etc religious art, and although she's a nun, not all of the work in this book is of a religious fashion. Those which are are gorgeous and analyzed beautifully anyhow. It's interesting to see her take on those, and on work like modern art, post-modern art, etc. 2007 was the year I was gettin more involved in my own artwork, and getting serious about it you could say, and this book is responsible for my motivation to do so.
November 1, 2015
1000 Masterpieces isn't really a book you can read straight through. I mean, you could, but that's probably not how it was meant to be read. As such, I took my sweet time exploring the various paintings chosen for this collection with great delight (mostly- of course, some more modern art still doesn't do it for me).
Not only did I enjoy the paintings themselves, but Sister Wendy's analyses prove to be very insightful for me. Her observations are very keen as well as thought-provoking; I really did see some of my favorite paintings in a different light.
I don't think I have a lot to say about this book since it is such a simple book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it to be educational.
Not only did I enjoy the paintings themselves, but Sister Wendy's analyses prove to be very insightful for me. Her observations are very keen as well as thought-provoking; I really did see some of my favorite paintings in a different light.
I don't think I have a lot to say about this book since it is such a simple book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it to be educational.
August 6, 2012
I keep going back to this book, to browse mostly, but what keeps my attention is the depth and breadth of Sr Wendy's aesthetic. She will surprise you with her choices. She has a point of view, that you may not necessarily agree with, but you won't find her pedantic or ideological. The delight is her very straightforward way of writing about art. She is such a breath of fresh air compared to mainstream art writing.
June 11, 2010
This is one of my favorite art books. Anyone that writes off Sister Wendy because she is a nun(as I did at first!) is missing out. She's so intelligent and possesses an extensive and thorough knowledge of art history. She's also extremely perceptive about the human condition and I loved reading what she has to say about the paintings!
May 1, 2016
An excellent and eclectic collection of art work with the always interesting and insightful critiques from Sister Wendy. I don't always agree with her opinions but her knowledge base and passion for art are phenomenal and always make me look closer at the art works and challenges me to rethink my original impressions which I enjoy.
September 19, 2009
This has been my art bible for years. It's fallen apart and has been taped back together again and again. I love Sister Wendy's gentle and sentimental descriptions of the art illustrations in this book.
August 30, 2007
How doesn't love Sister Wendy? This is a great book! I looked through it all afternoon with a glass of wine in my parents hammock.
December 31, 2007
Beautiful book to look at but religious based insight. Still informative.
February 7, 2008
alright, many of her musings are just lazy (especially on abstract art), but she can provide revelation too. with bucked-teeth and a dark habit, even.
June 26, 2008
This nun is amazing in her perception and her breadth of art history. She uses her knowledge of religion but it does not blind her insights. She's remarkable.
February 12, 2009
A window to many masterful paintings, the stories they tell, and a glimpse of the artist's life. The alpha order makes it like a dictionary, which I didn't like. A good intro volume.
July 19, 2009
Good book
Currently reading
January 15, 2010I'm amazed at how many painters I'd never heard of before reading through this tome. Also at how many paintings that are new to me by painters I've heard of.
August 10, 2010
I discovered Sister Wendy in college and was surprised by how much I enjoyed watching her show on PBS. She's a very knowledgeable art historian with a unique perspective.
May 25, 2012
Great reference for the Art room.
August 24, 2012
Sister Wendy is a cloisered nun who is completely self-taught in the arts. Her insight is inspiring and her theories of art are spot on.
November 7, 2012
Sister Wendy's observations are so engaging this is almost more of a reading book than a looking book! Gorgeous reproductions, nevertheless.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews