Poll

I chose Matisse, not because he is necessarily my favorite, but I think people not as familiar with fine art would enjoy browsing through the book with many colors. He sure had a way with colors!

For me it would have to be Leonardo all the way. The reason being that the book covers a lot of the different elements Leonardo covered in his life time.. I would (Yet I do) use for my coffee table book, if I could only have one, would be



Leonardo's Notebooks

Because it shows every aspect of his life. From his inventions to the paintings, everything is in it, even his notes are in it. The notes being doodles and random thoughts that he did on the side of his invention papers are fascinating, and something that none art lovers wouldn't mind checking out. With all of those different things being in all together, covering more than one topic, makes it so no one is bored! :)

There's no one like Monet.

I'd go for Joseph Cornell.

The Impressionists are too sweet and fluffy for me.

I picked Matisse because his works cover a wide variety of subjects and, flambouant colors aside, his style varied throughout his career. All without deviating from taste.

I'd display Parmigianino's Fontanellato. Cornell would be great, but he doesn't have any coffee table books. I've got a dozen books about him and none could be qualified as 'coffee table' material.

I have coffee table books displayed all over the house. I suppose this is not surprising to fellow goodreaders.

So very nice, Monica.

Iman Malki, b/c his work is challenging and reflects a realistic image of some Muslim cultures.

Before Iman Malki, Islamic culture in art was represented as a story in Arabian nights (from the image of the exotic belly dancers to the boy on the flying carpet)

I just hope he has a coffee table book :)

I, too, like Iman Maleki Amal. I was so amazed by his work, (what detail!)when you first posted his pictures, I showed them to my mom and to my boyfriend. They both were very impressed.

I suppose it isn't surprising that I would chose Van Gogh (being that you all know that I like him a lot). I would say that my two favorite artists are Rembrandt and Van Gogh, but it is Van Gogh who I would prefer to flip through a book of, looking at images. My friends would simply have to put up with my taste. But the fact is that I have no coffee table books at all in my home.

I picked "Other," because I'd have to pick Winsor McCay. He's perhaps not what some would consider a "fine artist" like those others, but he is an amazing artist nonetheless. He's probably best known for doing the newspaper comic "Little Nemo" at the turn of the 20th century. It's a comic, but the artwork is simply beautiful.

Wonderful, Ben!


Winsor McCay Gertie the Dinosaur

Wonderful! I would enjoy sitting at someone's coffee table (having some wine and cheese) and looking at a book of these.

I'm adding the films to my Netflix queue.

I think it would be Manet for me.

I just bought the very book I mentioned earlier, Winsor McCay : His Life and Art. It's going on my coffee table, after I finish looking at it. :) It has a ton of biography in addition to the art, as well.

Good for you Ben. See, Heather, what you've inspired with your poll?

No contest. Picasso has been my favorite artist for as long as I can remember. I especially like his women and do have a beautiful book titled "Picasso's Women".

I would choose a book about " The dinner party" by Judy Chicago. I don't know any other piece of art which is more inspiring.