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Expressionists
Discusses the characteristics of the Expressionism movement which flourished in Germany from 1905 to 1920 and presents biographies of fourteen Expressionist artists.
64 pages, Library Binding
First published October 1, 2002
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May 18, 2023
Penned by Merilyn Holme and Bridget McKenzie in 2002, in my humble opinion, Expressionists informatively and with much delightful and never exaggerated textual engagement manages to accomplish what sadly ALL other books I have read to date regarding Expressionism (regarding the German art, architecture, cinematic and literary movement) that are supposed to be geared towards younger readers rather majorly fail to do, namely to provide an introduction to Expressionism that is neither too simplistic nor textually overly complicated and difficult.
And indeed and very much appreciatively, Expressionists gives a solid and sufficiently extensive account of Expressionism (for readers from about the age of eleven or twelve onwards, but frankly, also for adults wanting something basic and not too complex) and which textually has the authors, which has Merilyn Holme and Bridget McKenzie not only covering the basics of Expressionism succinctly, clearly and understandably (both in a general sense and also focussing with more detail on fourteen specific artists, albeit that other significant names of Expressionism are also mentioned but of course and naturally not with quite as much of an emphasis) but also delving a bit more deeply where required without thankfully and fortunately becoming convoluted and overly involved, and with Holme's and McKenzie's text for Expressionists wonderfully showing what Expressionism was, why and how it was a specifically German cultural movement but also had roots and influences outside of Germany as well, a book therefore that shows pretty much every part every aspect of Expressionism (including how many Expressionists wrongfully at first believed and assumed that WWI was meant to destroy the old and usher in a new society and with tragic consequences as many Expressionist artists and authors willingly enlisted and were all too often like for example Franz Marc and August Macke killed in action, and that the majority of Expressionist artists, authors etc. were also persecuted and considered degenerated by the Nazis, banned from practicing their careers and often had to flea into exile).
Combined with representations of the presented artists most famous, most well known works (and usually in fill colour as well), Expressionists is both a textual and a visual treasure, perfect for showing Expressionism, early to mid 20th century German (and also European) culture and history as it relates to Expressionism, and with included the timelines, glossary and the bibliographical resources (both books and websites) providing not only the icing on an already most delicious cake for me but also making Expressionists a great starring point for further study and research (but with the caveat that Merilyn Holme and Bridget McKenzie are of course due to the 2002 publication date of Expressionists not include any resources past that date, but that is of course ALWAYS the case with non fiction and to be expected).
And indeed and very much appreciatively, Expressionists gives a solid and sufficiently extensive account of Expressionism (for readers from about the age of eleven or twelve onwards, but frankly, also for adults wanting something basic and not too complex) and which textually has the authors, which has Merilyn Holme and Bridget McKenzie not only covering the basics of Expressionism succinctly, clearly and understandably (both in a general sense and also focussing with more detail on fourteen specific artists, albeit that other significant names of Expressionism are also mentioned but of course and naturally not with quite as much of an emphasis) but also delving a bit more deeply where required without thankfully and fortunately becoming convoluted and overly involved, and with Holme's and McKenzie's text for Expressionists wonderfully showing what Expressionism was, why and how it was a specifically German cultural movement but also had roots and influences outside of Germany as well, a book therefore that shows pretty much every part every aspect of Expressionism (including how many Expressionists wrongfully at first believed and assumed that WWI was meant to destroy the old and usher in a new society and with tragic consequences as many Expressionist artists and authors willingly enlisted and were all too often like for example Franz Marc and August Macke killed in action, and that the majority of Expressionist artists, authors etc. were also persecuted and considered degenerated by the Nazis, banned from practicing their careers and often had to flea into exile).
Combined with representations of the presented artists most famous, most well known works (and usually in fill colour as well), Expressionists is both a textual and a visual treasure, perfect for showing Expressionism, early to mid 20th century German (and also European) culture and history as it relates to Expressionism, and with included the timelines, glossary and the bibliographical resources (both books and websites) providing not only the icing on an already most delicious cake for me but also making Expressionists a great starring point for further study and research (but with the caveat that Merilyn Holme and Bridget McKenzie are of course due to the 2002 publication date of Expressionists not include any resources past that date, but that is of course ALWAYS the case with non fiction and to be expected).
Displaying 1 of 1 review