More Than Words: Illustrated Letters from the Smithsonian Archives of American Art

by Liza Kirwin

Words can speak volumes, but, as every letter writer knows, there are times when they simply won't do. And when the author happens to be a visual artist, the results can be both intimate and transcendent. This book is a testament to those occasions, a compilation of personal letters by some of America's most revered artists, each one adorned with an illustration. Writing to wives, lovers, friends, patrons, clients, and confidants are such revered artists as Frederick Edwin Church, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, Rockwell Kent, Lyonel Feininger, John Sloan, Alfred Frueh, Man Ray, Eero Saarinen, Alexander Calder, Gio Ponti, Andy Warhol, and Roy Lichtenstein. Sometimes humorous, sometimes extravagant, but always revealing and intimate, they picture the world around them in charming vignettes, landscapes, portraits, and caricatures. Together with their words, these autobiographical works of art created for private consumption reveal the joys and successes, loves and longings, disappointments and frustrations of their authors' lives. These riveting artifacts are drawn from the collection of the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, one of the largest repositories of artists' papers in the nation, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2005.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

245 pages, Hardcover

First published October 27, 2005

Reviews

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book about the importance of letters, letter writing and the visual impact of letters that include sketches. The letters are shown as close-up photographs and the stories told become real through words and images. As a journaler, I love epistolary novels and the development of a good story through letters. Add sketches and I begin to wonder what the sender experienced and why he/she chose that image to sketch.

The interpretation of history is often better told in letters than in history books, which purport to be objective, but are not. Letters tell a personal story, but with a clear point of view. The visual aspect of this book, and the effort taken to handle the photographs makes the book enjoyable.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book of illustrated letters made me want to dash off a few myself. And I'll confess to being disappointed by today's mail, which had no letters at all, let alone any with paintings in. There are some beautiful examples of the lost art in this book.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed it though I do wish the book were physically larger. Often the letters are reduced in size making them hard to read. There are transcripts in the back (often the whole letters aren't pictured) but they are in an even smaller, all caps, light blue font. I like the blue but I see why black on white is the standard.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, great book.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite Christmas gifts ever! A feast of art, beautiful penmanship, and history.