The Essential Joseph Cornell

The Essential

by ingrid-schaffner

Describes the artistic career and major works of Joseph Cornell.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

112 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[Sharon Barrow Wilfong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am new to collage and assemblage art and this brief, yet interesting biography/history of Joseph Cornell and the modern art movement of the early twentieth century was a great introduction.

I especially liked the plethora of color photos on good quality, glossy paper.

Cornell is a member of the "Outsider Art" movement, which means he did not receive formal training, but taught himself, and also promoted himself. He spent his life with his mother and disabled brother, but managed to work his way inside the modern art club where he was befriended and respected by many of the famous artists of the time. Much of what he did prefigured Andy Warhol's pop art.

An intriguing, yet sad character. Yet his art his fascinating.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no idea who might be the intended audience for this insubstantial text, bristling with sidebars and pullquotes and studded with bold and italics. The tone achieved seems to be addressed to a precocious child by a rather creepy uncle.

On the other hand, you can never have too many Cornell pieces to look at, and a little square book seems like the perfect container to keep them in.

[Lizzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting overview of Cornell's work and the art movements that influenced him.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting pieces and story about Joseph.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciated the brevity, but the writing was poor: overly simplistic and annoyingly conversational. I felt like it possibly could have been written for young teens, but that is no excuse for bad writing.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

short and concise biography of Joseph Cornell one of my favorite artist.