Pop Art: A Critical History

Documents of Twentieth-Century Art

by Steven Henry Madoff (Editor)

Pop A Critical History chronicles one of the most controversial art movements of the century. The anthology draws from a great range of sources, from the leading art magazines and art historical journals to newspapers and news magazines such as the New York Times, Life , and Newsweek . What emerges from this rich cross-section of critical and journalistic commentary is a fascinating view of the tumultuous rise of Pop art and its establishment as a major force in contemporary art. A broad selection of articles traces the emergence of the movement itself in England and America, as seen through the eyes of the working critics of the day. The focus then narrows to present in-depth writings on the four major Pop Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg, James Rosenquist, and Andy Warhol, along with an examination of many other artists involved in the movement. From reviews of the very first shows of many of these artists to interviews with them, to news stories about their collectors and their lifestyles, Pop A Critical History represents the most complete and coherent record of Pop art yet published. The book concludes with an invaluable chronology of the major '60s exhibitions by Pop artists. Among the contributors are Lawrence Alloway, John Coplans, Donald Judd, Max Kozloff, Gerald Nordland, Peter Plagens, Barbara Rose, Robert Rosenblum, John Russell, Gene Swenson, and Sidney Tillim.

Genres: Art

450 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 1997

Reviews

[Caolinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of illuminating essays on the time period. I can't put it down and my mind has been blown! Great read.

[Sissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative read

[Ira Carter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been reading James Rosenquist's autobiography and I was compelled to pull this from the local library. Whereas Rosenquist is very clear in describing his initial impulses to become a fine artist and the way he thought about art and planned to make specific pieces, I found the articles in this book to be, for the most part, dense, overly intellectual, and missing the fun inherent in pop art. I gave up after reading a few. If you want to know more about pop art, this is not the place to start.

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

I lied. I didn't read this book. This is a book of more than one hundred short reviews and articles on pop art. Only a block head would try to read it all the way thru, but many of the articles are wonderful. It is a book to read a few pieces, put down for a while and then savor a few more pieces. Find the book, savor a few pieces and then come back again and again and again. You will love it.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pop Art -- there is more than meets the eye. Great book if you wanting to learn more about this time period.