نقاش و قوهای وحشی

by Claude Clément, Frédéric Clément, شباب حسامی

Transfixed by the beauty of a passing flock of white swans, a Japanese painter finds that he cannot work until he sees them again.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Philosophy, Japan, Childrens, Animals

24 pages

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

French author-illustrator team Claude Clément and Frédéric Clément (no relation) - who subsequently collaborated on the breathtakingly beautiful The Voice of the Wood (Le luthier de Venise) - took the work of Japanese photographer Teiji Saga, specifically, his photographs of swans in winter, as an inspiration for this lovely picture-book, originally released as Le Peintre et les Cygnes sauvages. The tale of a celebrated painter named Teiji, who, when he sees a flock of swans flying overhead, is so enraptured by their beauty that he sells all his worldly goods, and sets off to follow them to their winter home, it has immense visual and narrative appeal.

I'm not sure, really, why my library catalogues The Painter and the Wild Swans as a folktale, as it is an entirely original creation, but I am glad to have run across it, as I greatly admire Monsieur Clément's art (I own a copy of The Voice of the Wood , as well as Hélène Tersac's somewhat surreal picture-book, The Animals' Ball , which he illustrated), and found the story serenely engaging. Really though (and this is no disparagement of Claude Clément), I'd enjoy a laundrey list, if Frédéric Clément had illustrated it! Obviously inspired by Japanese art here, he delivers winter vistas of astounding beauty, some of them with the little surreal details - the series of mountain scenes, for instance, in which the two peaks eventually become the robe of an old man - I have come to expect. All in all, this was a delight - well worth the time of any picture-book lover with a taste for beauty!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.4

Readers have said this is a picture book for kids, but I believe it is more appropriate for adults. The art is beautiful and evocative, especially the transformation from nature to man and then later from man to nature. And it never hurts to be reminded that we are part of the natural world and that we need to appreciate the beauty around us as each and every day.

The Japanese script, a poem, is translated at the end of the book.

[Soheila Amirabadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

و سرانجام، عاشق در وجود معشوق می میرد. اما در معشوق، مرگ راه ندارد. پس عاشق در معشوق متولد می شود و خود، معشوق می گردد.معشوق نیز در عاشق، آشکار می گردد. و عاشق در می یابد که معشوق خودش بوده و عاشق حقیقی، همان معشوق بوده. اینگونه است که عشق و عاشق و معشوق یکی می شوند زیرا یکی بوده اند و یکی هستند.

در حضور الهی اینچنین زندگی کنید.
آنگاه رستگارید

[Mahsa Rami · Rating 5 out of 5]

از تصویرسازیها و داستان واقعا لذت بردم

[Swanblood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing. A simple picture book, yes, but this is a book for all ages to love... the combination of the haunting story and the amazing art will stay with you for a long time. I read this at the library and now I want to add it to my own shelf, I don't want to live a life without this book in my collection.

Because of this book, I actually researched the artist that the story is about, Teiji Saga. His poetry at the end of this book also stayed with me and I wished to learn more about this man who has inspired the story. He has produced a beautiful book of swan photography and I feel that, just from reading this small picture book I have discovered a new world of amazing art and a wonderful artist that I would not otherwise find.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because I was so taken with the illustrations and the story (which is remarkably deep and poignant). Although children will not get the deeper meaning, oh the beautiful poem at the end is in chinese (a friend of mine translated it)sums up the feeling of the book and it certainly will strike a chord in adults.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful picture book.

[Relyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about the photographer Teiji Saga, but this story wasn't actually very engaging. Beautiful art, but that's about all I can say.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breathtaking illustrations, but the story was rather sad.

[Maughn Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant story, gorgeous artwork, and a philosophical take on aesthetic experience -- what more can be wanted?

[Carol Royce Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book on my shelf today, it's probably been there a while, something I picked up at a book sale somewhere. I had a little time and read it and found it very beautiful, which is appropriate because it's all about the search for beauty, but I just don't know how I would use it with students. Have to think about this one.

[Christy Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mix of whimsical and dark--this beautifully illustrated book emphasizes the importance of chasing one's dreams and the sacrifice it may entail. The story speaks to deeper things, but also exposes culture of Japan and exquisite illustration which mirrors this.

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading the accolades beforehand built this up too much. The art is good. The story is a little hard to believe. Not the magic part. The idea that either he'd never seen a flock of swans before or else just suddenly decided they were the most beautiful thing in the world.

[Paul Groos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prachtig klein boekje. De illustraties zijn (z)waanzinnige kunstwerken in Japanse stijl (al zijn ze gemaakt door een fransoos). Het verhaal is eenvoudig, gelukkig net niet cliché, maar wel bijna en heeft een behartenswaardige diepere ondergrond. Fijne vondst in de kringloopwinkel.

[Dave H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great pictures, great book.

[Prosha · Rating 5 out of 5]

کتاب کوچیک ولی لذت بخشی که حس لطافتش تا ساعت ها همراه آدم میمونه.

[Neda · Rating 5 out of 5]

یکی از عالی ترین کتابهای تصویری داستانی بود که تا الان خودم.. و چه تصویرگری ای داره این کتاب. هر کدوم از صفحه ها خودش یه تابلو هست.. و البته پیام داستان هم بسیار عرفانی و قشنگ بود.