Theories of Modern Art: A Source Book by Artists and Critics

by Herschel B. Chipp, Peter Selz (Contributor), Joshua C. Taylor (Contributor)

Herschel B. Chipp's Theories of Modern Art: A Source Book By Artists and Critics is a collection of texts from letters, manifestos, notes and interviews. Sources include, as the title says, artists and critics—some expected, like van Gogh, Gauguin, Apollinaire, Mondrian, Greenberg, just to name a few—and some less so: Trotsky and Hitler, in the section on Art and Politics. The book is a wonderful resource and insight into the way artists think and work.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Art History, History, Theory, Reference, Philosophy

688 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[Filipina]

Required reading during my college years as an art major. Great excerpts from the work of artists across all times inspired me and my classmates to write our own artist manifestos. A must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about the struggle to be an artist.

[Krystal Booth]

Excerpts from this were required reading for college as a Fine Arts Major...I have returned to it off and on for different sources. I think it sounds more interesting than what it really is...and I feel guilty for saying that. I think I will return to this book and read it in its entirety within the next month or so. I need to get a more honest opinion of it and believe that I would benefit from it.

[Heather Duris]

Definitely a product of its time, 1968. While a valuable collection of articles and insights from artists from the Impressionist movement forward to Pop art, none of those insights come from women artists, so that was disappointing.

[Isabel clare]

really lovely and beautiful collection of letters and other various direct sources --> mostly focused on 19th/20th century artists but that's what I was expecting. a cool read if you are also a fixated weirdo who is desperate for more insight into the personal lives of artists, or otherwise just want some emotional context put into light for specific works of art.

[Persephone Abbott]

Just a note to self: the male prescription for ordering up philosophy for optimal lifestyle non dependent on the hassle of everyday life is found here. And I'll take the falafel please. To go.

[Claude Lingen]

Theories of Modern Art
A Source Book by Artists and Critics

Herschel B. Chipp

In Theories of Modern Art there is a constant reminder that art is not about representing nature on a 2d surface, but creating something new.

“They project their inner world. Franz Marc
“They plumb the innermost, true center of gravity of their own times. Franz Marc.

“Let us remind them that we visit an exhibition to contemplate painting and to enjoy it: not to enlarge our knowledge of geography, anatomy etc. Jean Metzinger

Rants against Academy, Greek and Renaissance art, including da Vinci and Michelangelo especially by the Futurists.

Reference to artists working within the spirit (zeitgeist) of the times.

Constant refuting of previous movements, Cubism-Impressionism, Futurism- Cubism etc.

Importance of the switch from European to American art.

[James D]

the quintessential book for a foundation in artistic philosophy. but took a long while for me to get through.

[Fray Arsenio]

A great and useful book but not what I was looking for.

[Megangoldberg]

Something about your smile makes me want to unravel its secrets. Perhaps we can explore them together tonight, with a touch that ignites a desire for something more intimate.

[Cody]

A fabulous and exhaustive collection of writings by the artists themselves. Though Thelonius Monk said that writing about music was like dancing about architecture, I did learn a lot about these artists from their writings. Kandinsky's bits are especially enlightening.

[Barry]

History direct from the writing s of artists and the critics who wrote about their work. I have had my copy of this book since my college days in the 1970s and feel that this book is important for artists to have in their library.

[Richard Auzier]

Tem algo no azul do céu que me deixa quieto
Uma quietude que preenche o meu espírito
Quando eu viajar de avião pela primeira vez
Vou fechar os olhos e tentar imaginar que estou voando de verdade

Enquanto isso não acontece, eu revisito esse livro
para sentir e ver belos quadros dos céus

[tallulah]

a classic

[Kimberly]

Required reading for my course with Barbara Buenger on modern European art back in 2002.

[Bethany]

ah, art school. i actually read all of my art school text books, still have them, and still use them.

[Aaron]

Great reference. Always a book I come back to.

[Francis Jones]

I dip in and out of this book regularly, so inspiring to read the thoughts and manifestos right from the source.

[Brian Bulfer]

good reference book

[Brandon]

If you want to get inside the mind of some the great artists, this book is it. It includes an analysis of their work and shares correspondence by the artists with others

[Mieczyslaw Kasprzyk]

This is THE source book for all serious students of Art and Art History.

[Mindy Jones]

I don't think I could live without this book in my life anymore.

[Pat]

A book to dip into....

[Gilbert Wesley Purdy]

Selections from letters, books, interviews by a wide range of great late 19th century and 20th century artists about art.

[Nicholas]

I just got this second hand in great condition for $8.50! score!

[Sarah]

This lives on my nightstand, pen close at hand.