Salon

by Nick Bertozzi

Na Paris de 1907, quando pintores de vanguarda começam a ser decapitados, Gertrude Stein e seu irmão Leo se dão conta de que podem ser os próximos na lista do assassino. Recorrendo ajuda de seus amigos e colegas mais próximos, George Braque, Pablo Picasso, Erik Satie, Alice B. Toklas e Guillaume Apollinaire, eles saem em campo para por um ponto final nos terríveis assassinatos.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Art, Fiction, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics, The United States Of America

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like Nick Bertozzi, and thought I really liked the conceit of this book. I read it probably a year ago, when it first came out, and it struck me wrongly, so I put it aside for a while so I could read it again before deciding. And I did that this weekend, more slowly and carefully than I did the first time I read it. And I still have a lot of the same concerns.

This is one of those responses that are hard to defend and someday will probably get me a well-deserved punch in the nose. But if it makes anyone feel better, I feel the same way about _The Golden Bowl_: the wrong people's story is being told.

Here, Bertozzi populates his story about the enduring and powerful effect of Gaugin's artistic legacy with Picasso, Braque, and Gertrude Stein, among others. I don't think I'm prima facie opposed to reading a story about Gaugin's influence, his tremendous artistic vitality if that's the story Bertozzi wants to tell. But it feels like a real squandering of opportunity to tell that story using the cast he has here-- it, at the very least, in story terms, minimizes what Picasso and Braque are doing, making their work seem fiddling at the edges instead of the artistic breakthrough that it was.

And out-of-story, in terms of the way Bertozzi presents his material, is where I think the largest opportunities are lost-- a book focalized through Braque should just LOOK more interesting than this one does. It's hard to ignore by the end of the book who Bertozzi really likes (Gaugin), but there are so many cues here that this story should involve incredibly weird and interesting perspectives-- there are, after all, absinthe inspired hallucinations inside paintings!-- that it's always disappointing to reflect on how little of this shows up in this book. And don't get me started on Stein, what she would do with the prose that does appear in this book.

There is one upside to my waiting so long to try to explain what I felt about this book; at the time, I didn't know how to explain what I thought this book should look like. But since then, I've read _Asterios Polyp_ which I think does a better job at exploring what the world might look like to an artist like Braque. I wish there were more visual inventiveness in the book than there is. That's the main thing.

[Mark Schlatter · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want a graphic novel account of how Picasso and Braques developed cubism, while at the same time watching the burgeoning romance between Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, while at the same time seeing how all of the above (plus more) are trying to prevent more murders of modernist artists by what appears to be a subject of a painting of Gauguin, this is the book for you. It's gonzo, detailed, and sometimes surprisingly focused on the minutiae of painting.

[Sonic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this brilliant piece of history and fiction! The plot was fantastic in all senses of the term and it was supported by plausible historical characterizations of many of the great and strong personalities of the Modernist Movement in Paris in the very early 1900's. The art is absolutely superb and serves as an exemplary representation of the "comic" or "graphic" medium, which is obviously the marriage of image and word. In this case the marriage is so perfect it is a delight to read. Anyone familiar with this medium knows the joys of participation of ones own imagination needed to read between the lines, or indeed read between the frames. And here pacing is an essential element, not just in the unfolding of the story's plot but in the economy of revelation, i.e. how many frames are needed or used to convey a scene or it's action. In terms of pacing this book is flawless. Bertozzi's characterizations are so plausible and such a delight that their behavior even in this fantastic story is believable and fun! I hope to see more of this excellent writer and artist!

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not understand...any?...of this.

[Deyab Ratedane]

"The Salon" by Nick Bertozzi transports readers to the world of art in nineteenth-century Paris, immersing them in the exuberant atmosphere of the legendary Menkoi Salon. This graphic novel weaves historical events and personalities into a fictitious story, highlighting creative talent and the quest for recognition. Bertozzi's character development is remarkable, allowing readers to empathies with Lucien Remy and other characters throughout the novel. Dreams, uncertainties, and personal journeys of the individuals are beautifully depicted, bringing depth and relatability to their lives.

One of the book's most outstanding assets is its gorgeous artwork. Bertozzi's drawings, with a rigorous eye for detail, bring the characters, settings, and art objects to life. The depiction of the Menkoi Salon and its lively ambience lends depth and reality to the story, taking readers back to Paris' creative heyday.

* At our virtual salon today, I have a little secret to share. While it may not have been explicitly mentioned by the author, if you are eager to discover the extent beauty salon, I invite you to visit our exclusive corner at https://www.tuugo.us/Companies/menkoi.... It's a delightful gathering place where you can partake in enlightening conversations about salon that pique your interest.

* Also not mentioned by the author www.zaubee.com and sub/reddit pages for beauty salon are great sources of information about the pluses and minuses as perceived by lovable people.

[Burcu · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Salon" by Nick Bertozzi immerses readers into the vibrant world of art in nineteenth-century Paris, specifically within the legendary Menkoi Salon. This graphic novel seamlessly interweaves historical events and personalities into a fictional narrative, showcasing creative talent and the relentless pursuit of recognition. Bertozzi's exceptional character development enables readers to empathize with Lucien Remy and other characters, adding depth to the novel by delving into their dreams, uncertainties, and personal journeys.

A standout feature of the book lies in its stunning artwork. Bertozzi's meticulous attention to detail brings characters, settings, and art objects to life. The portrayal of the Menkoi Salon and its lively ambiance provides depth and authenticity to the narrative, transporting readers back to the creative zenith of Paris.

Today, in our virtual salon, I have a little secret to share. While the author may not have explicitly mentioned it, if you are eager to explore the extent of beauty salons, I invite you to visit our exclusive corner at. It's a delightful gathering place where you can engage in enlightening conversations about salons that pique your interest.

Additionally, not mentioned by the author, us.weloob.com and subreddit pages dedicated to beauty salons are excellent sources of information about the pros and cons, as perceived by lovely individuals.

[Lachiara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Questa graphic mi ha lasciata un po’ perplessa. Non mi è piaciuta molto, lo ammetto: forse non l’ho capita appieno o forse semplicemente non fa per me. La storia ci porta nella Parigi degli anni ’30, con Picasso nel pieno del suo successo artistico e umano: genio amato, odiato, invidiato. Attorno a lui si muovono colleghi e rivali, da Braque ad altri protagonisti della scena artistica, e tra mostre, gelosie e tensioni politiche si insinua perfino l’idea di complotti e di qualcuno che potrebbe volerlo eliminare. Un intreccio che mescola arte, ossessioni e rivalità.
I disegni poi… a me hanno dato più confusione che chiarezza. Il tratto è volutamente frastagliato e intenso, ma invece di dare ritmo mi ha disorientata, togliendo scorrevolezza alla lettura. Quasi che la confusione grafica si sommassi a quella della trama.
L’unica cosa che mi ha colpita davvero è il personaggio di Braque: l’ho trovato affascinante nella sua totale indifferenza verso la fama, interessato solo a disegnare, a creare. Un approccio che spicca, soprattutto se paragonato a Picasso e al suo rapporto complicato con successo e notorietà.
In conclusione, per me è stata una lettura un po’ faticosa, non coinvolgente e visivamente dispersiva. Una graphic che non mi ha fatto impazzire, anche se qualche spunto interessante sul mondo dell’arte e sugli artisti dell’epoca riesce comunque a lasciarlo.

[Dominick · Rating 2 out of 5]

The birth of Cubism, combined with a fantasy about absinthe allowing one to enter into the world of a painting--and for creatures from paintings to emerge into the real world. Either kind of story would (or could) be interesting on its own, but I just did not find that they gelled here. I found the bits devoted to the thrill of discovery ad Picasso and Braque begin their artistic breakthroughs reasonably interesting. The rest, with its historical figures (Gertrude and Leo Stein, Alice B. Toklas etc.) caught up in a murder mystery/fantasy/search for Gauguin, was puzzling at best, irritating at worst (sometimes for what might seem like trivial reasons e.g. the cod French sound effects, which struck me as far too superficially precious and self-aware). Not helped by the small size, odd font, and use of multiple accents. At times, I had to use a magnifying glass to puzzle out what was being said--which as often as not wasn't worth the effort.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Bertozzi's artwork, and the story has a lot of fun bits. I loved Picasso's depiction! The mystery had some good twists, and overall, I did enjoy the book.

Because I don't know much about the historical figures involved (Gertrude and Leo Stein, Picasso, Georges Braque, Alice Toklas and Guillaume Apollinaire investigate the serial murders of cutting edge artists in 1907 Paris), I felt like I wasn't getting the whole picture. As it was, I enjoyed Picasso's vulgarity and his debates about art and form with Braque.

So it's good, but I'm not sure if it's awesome or just an interesting oddity, because I don't know enough about the persons portrayed to say if they're portrayed realistically, humorously or otherwise.

[Lisa Macklem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not sure which shelves to add this to other than graphic novels. After Shackleton, this was very disappointing. I was hoping for an historical account of Gertrude Stein and her famous painters' salon in Paris. Instead, this is a weird sort of murder-mystery/horror/modernist painting. The art is interesting and it's an interesting take on where Picasso's blue period comes from, but the lettering is actually quite impossible to read in places and I had to use a magnifying glass on several occasions to determine what was being said. I honestly wanted to give this 2.5 stars....

[Elderberrywine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was a whole lot of different. A graphic novel, definitely NSFW (mais oui!), involving Gertrude Stern and her salon, and a serial killer who rips people's heads off and tinges them blue. Absinthe of a particular type is involved. I will say no more.

I must say I particularly enjoyed the randy Picasso and his supremely uninterested model/mistress.

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great concept: the artists of early 20th century Paris battle a monster and discover blue absinthe can alter reality, sliding them into their paintings. Somehow, though, it fails as both historic fantasy and supernatural thriller. It doesn't help that the lettering was uncomfortable to read, at least at my age.

[Terry Mulcahy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating.

[Marta · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Salon (2007)

Interessante contesto ma idea di base peregrina. Lettering fastidioso.

[Paul Bruce · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5

[JZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Jon Macy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a wild romp. I loved seeing all my old favorites from the lost generation behaving badly and solving a mystery. There were a few I had to look up and for me that added something. Great job.

[Romain · Rating 3 out of 5]

C'est un conseil de mon libraire que je vous présente à mon tour. Même si je l'écoute toujours religieusement, cette fois, il n'a pas eu besoin d’insister bien longtemps. Sa technique est simple et déjà éprouvée, il m'a simplement mis un exemplaire entre les mains. Après avoir apprécié l'élégant format à l'italienne, identifié méthodiquement — grâce aux indications de la quatrième de couverture — les personnages composant le portrait de famille de la couverture, apprécié la texture et le poids du beau papier et feuilleté quelques pages en admirant le style d'un oeil déjà conquis, je me suis dirigé d'un pas décidé vers la caisse. Il faut dire que la couverture est alléchante, il y a du beau monde: les peintres Georges Braque et Pablo Picasso, le musicien Erik Satie, les écrivains Guillaume Apollinaire et Alice B. Toklas et les amateurs et collectionneurs d'art Gertrude et Leo Stein.

Une absinthe spéciale à base de racines que l'on ne trouve qu'au sommet d'une montagne isolée, en Hongrie.[...]
Cette absinthe permet à celui qui l'ingère de pénétrer dans n'importe quelle peinture à l’huile.

C'est le point de départ d'une enquête folle et complètement surréaliste dans laquelle notre club d'intellectuels va se lancer sur les traces d'une mystérieuse meurtrière faisant des ravages dans le milieu de la peinture. Nous sommes en 1907 et des corps sont retrouvés mutilés et étrangement couverts d'importantes traces de peinture bleue.
A côté de l'enquête et de cette histoire d'une extrême originalité, le lecteur évolue au sein d'un univers culturellement très riche. C'est un plaisir de découvrir la vie de ces personnages historiques. Au delà de leur rôle de catalyseur du milieu de l'art, la relation entre Gertrude et Leo Stein est croustillante et s'étale tout au long du livre comme un fil rouge.
L'auteur nous montre également comment la relation et la collaboration entre le fougueux Picasso et le réfléchi Braque donnera naissance au cubisme. Cette gestation est une véritable histoire dans l'histoire qui démontre le travail de recherche réalisé par l'auteur.
Quand on s'attaque au monde de la peinture en convoquant certains des plus grands peintres on a plutôt intérêt à tenir la route graphiquement. Le new-yorkais Nick Bertozzi fait mieux que cela en livrant un travail graphiquement abouti. Une mention spéciale peut être accordée à certains gros plans au cadrage très inspiré mais aussi et surtout au traitement des couleurs. Chaque chapitre change de couleur dominante pour produire un effet original.
Je ne peux que rendre hommage à mon libraire qui m'a conseillé ce travail de grande classe. Si vous cherchez quelque chose d'exclusif loin des poncifs de la bande dessinée, vous pouvez vous aussi vous laisser tenter.

[Batmark · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://morethansuperhumans.blogspot.c...

In Paris, circa 1908, a rash of killings is being blamed on a "blue-skinned" woman who seems to be targeting Bohemians. Against this backdrop of terror, the French painter Georges Braque is struggling to push beyond the Fauvist style, attempting to build upon Cézanne's idea of simultaneous perspective. His work is discovered by Gertrude and Leo Stein, who welcome Braque into their salon. There, Braque meets the Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, and the two form an immediate bond through their desire to transform the very concept of artistic representation in two dimensions.

Meanwhile, the members of the Steins' salon introduce Braque to a rare form of blue absinthe from Hungary, which allows the drinker to physically enter paintings. But when Braque and fellow salon member Guillaume Apollinaire are attacked by an ethereal blue-skinned woman inside a Gauguin painting, the members of the salon reveal to Braque that they suspect Gauguin's mistress, Annah, as the killer. Intrigued by this turn of events, Braque and Picasso set out to capture Annah and solve the mystery before she kills again--all while working together to develop what would become the Cubist art movement.

The Salon is a fanciful look at the tremendous changes taking place in the Western art world at the beginning of the twentieth century. The hero of the book is Georges Braque--but Picasso is undoubtedly the star. His bravado, his ego, and his womanizing are on full display here, and his idiom when speaking English (as written by Bertozzi) is flat out hilarious.

This is not a book that provides a straight history of early-twentieth-century painting (if the "murdering mistress inhabiting paintings" subplot described above didn't make that clear), but is rather an exploration of the relationships between the disparate personalities that formed the vanguard of Western art in the early 1900s. In addition to Braque, Picasso, Apollinaire, and the Steins, other famous individuals who make their appearances in the book include Matisse, Gauguin (though he actually died in 1903), Erik Satie, and Alice Toklas, among others.

The result is informative, funny, thought-provoking, and eminently readable. Bertozzi clearly spent a lot of time exploring inside the heads of his cast of real-life characters. The intellectually passionate relationship of Braque and Picasso is touching, and the developing rift between Stein and her brother when Toklas arrives on the scene practically crackles on the page. This is the perfect book for anyone interested in the Bohemian culture of Paris in the early twentieth century.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Salon is a deeeeelightful little graphic novel.

It’s an entertaining romp that rhapsodizes on the art and relationships of those modernists who rocked the art world (Picasso, Braque, Gertrude and Leo Stein, Alice B. Toklas, Matisse, Gaugin). I’m immediately inclined to call Bertozzi’s work “cute” but resist because it is too well done to be simply encapsulated by a term that more properly describes girls, puppies, and little pieces of pizza. Bertozzi takes the real life relationships and pursuits of these artists and throws in a murder mystery for a plot, a splash of absinthe for a good device, plenty of decent art jokes, and a thoroughly enjoyable characterization of a young Picasso to make a hell of a story.

I really appreciated Bertozzi’s aesthetic, declining to go the obvious route and let the era’s modern style invade his own story. Instead, and for the better I think, the lines are bold and certain in a very realistic style. Each portion of the story has its own light hue with muted, warm primary colors making for an inviting, comfortable read.

But don’t give it to the little kids this holiday season. In yet another Indecent-Material-to-a-Minor-Case, the owner of a comic book store in Georgia is fending off charges for giving away a preview copy of The Salon.

Who’s going to jail for putting up those slutty perfume billboards? Or mailing me those Victoria’s Secret catalogs?

[Dave-O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early Cubism was born out of the back-and-forth visual exploration of Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso and "The Salon" re-imagines turn of the century Paris and the players that turned art on its head as a crime drama. Think Paul Pope's "Heavy Liquid" meets "Law & Order" by way of MOMA. Bertozzi's own artwork is beautiful and the reserved color palette matches the tone of the story. Bertozzi's take on Picasso's "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" (believed by many to be the most important painting of the 20th Century) on the back cover is pretty brillant as well.

The murder mystery is fun, but actually less interesting than the author's imagined conversations between Picasso and Braque as well as Gertrude and Leo Stein, Alice B. Toklas, Erik Satie, Henri Matisse and Guillaume Apollinaire. Art history was one of my favorite subjects in college, particularly Cubism and "The Salon" captures the optimistic forward-looking energy of this movement, the catalyst for every major art movement to follow.

[Margot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bizarre in the extreme! Gertrude Stein and her brother, and their cadre of artistes in Paris. Hobnobbing, gossiping, quibbling, partying, experimenting, and drinking lots of absinthe. Their particular special blue absinthe leads to hallucinations of entering a nearby painting. Meanwhile, murders of artistes in the city by a blue demon wreak havoc on the nerves of our protagonists, who set out to solve the murders and keep the blue absinthe a secret from the authorities and general public.

My favorite part is the addition of french-ified sound effects for actions in the panes. For example, "scribelle, scribelle" instead of scribble on page 68.

A little disclaimer: My appreciation of this book is notched up higher than it would have otherwise been due to my interest in Gertrude Stein and the two current museum exhibits in San Francisco that directly relate to these characters, at the Contemporary Jewish Museum and the SF MOMA.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I originally ordered The Salon in preparation for CCPL's Skiff Literature conference, at which Nick was a presenting author. After hearing him speak, I was expecting great things, and I was not disappointed. In the Salon, Bertozzi combines art, mystery, sex, humor and a nice bit of gore to create a witty, but not conceited, rollicking absinthe trip of a tale. What's more fun than comics mocking art critics who are mocking comics? There's some graphic in this graphic novel, so if you like pretty little Monets, or, horrors, think Thomas Kincaid is a genius, this book is not for you. Like Gauguin's paintings, but think he's a prick? Then dig in, this trip's for you!

[Ted Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is TWISTED! It's a graphic novel about the modernist painters in turn of the century Paris. Julius and Gertrude Stein have discovered a magical absinthe which allows drinkers to enter paintings- but taken too often it leads to insanity! Gaugin has been taken hostage by a mysterious woman in one of his own paintings and Picasso and Braque must help the Steins track down the serial-killing blue phantom!

Obviously being an Art teacher, history buff, and cartooning aficionado, I loved this freaky thing. Of course the few other people I can imagine who'd appreciate it were also Art Majors.

[Mark Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the artwork and the setting and the great cast of famous historical figures as characters. An interesting use of magical realism as the hook to a conventional mystery story. I enjoyed the author's sense of humour and his ability to use known traits in his characters to play off and satirize.

I feel that the original artwork was shrunk down more than the artist would have wanted, because I found the dialogue hard to read. Either that, or he miscalculated the size of artwork to size of dialogue balloon ratio. Should have been fixed prior to publication, but this is a small quibble.

Overall a great read for students of the medium or the period. I count myself as both.

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the art, but I think probably this would be better if you knew more about these artists. As is, I liked it ok, but was glad when it was over.

Side note, this is the kind of fictionalized history that really needs to come with a little afterword in the back so you know which parts are fact, which are reasonable guesses, and which are totally made up. I mean, obviously there was never a deadly absinthe monster. But littler issues like Manet hating Picasso- is that real or is it just a good guess?

[Amy Thorne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh. I'd read some good reviews, but I didn't really like it. I don't know a whole lot about the artists of the time anymore--not that I ever knew tons, and it's been a long time since college art history--and I already knew that being a great artist doesn't mean you're not a d*ck. But jeez. The plot wasn't very well developed, and the most interesting part--when the artists were discussing developments in painting--was very short. And the way the villian is defeated in the end...give. me. a. break.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best graphic novel I've read in a long time. It somehow brings together science fiction, literary biography, & art history in an amazingly entertaining way.

I kept thinking: this is like what would happen if Picasso, Braque, Gauguin, Gertrude Stein, and Alice B. Toklas took over an episode of Scooby Doo!!

I wish all reading were like this: the philosophical origins of cubism are discussed while chasing naked people in and out of Gauguin paintings, drinking magical absinthe and listening to Picasso make penis jokes. EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS!

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Braque and Picasso revolutionise painting whilst teaming up with Gertrude and Leo Stein, Erik Satie, Appolinaire and other notable modernists in turn-of-the-century Paris to solve the seemingly connected mysteries of why a blue-skinned woman is tearing the heads off art dealers, and what *really* happened to Gaugin.

Like 'Friends' as an art history documentary filmed in the style of a slasher-movie episode of Scooby Doo. Great fun.

[Brenton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very interesting mystery/ghost story tinged with a bit of science fiction and featuring a cadre of many turn-of-the-last-century artists such as Picasso and Braque. It was a good read, but the writing/plot movement seemed a bit clunky in paces and Bertozzi could stand to smooth out his chapters a bit. One hopes that he learns as he goes along and gets better with experience, because you can see some brilliance here.