Art Lovers discussion

It has come to my attention that we have a thread for books in general, but I want to open a topic regarding art books only. Since this is an art group, I'm sure there are many of us who are interested in what others are reading, have read, or would like to read.

You are welcome just to post the link to the book, or if you have read it, we would love to hear your review.

If you have heard of it from someone else, for what reason are you interested in it?

If you are currently engrossed in a book having anything to do with art, please share!

I know we have many books posted at the end of this forum, but I would love to hear the personal reviews and preferences of you, the members!

I will start with one of my favorite books, the biography of Rodin.
Rodin: A Biography

"Auguste Rodin (1840–1917) was not only the world's greatest sculptor, known for such works as The Thinker, The Kiss, The Hand of God, and dozens of others, but also one of the most remarkable personalities of modern times: an artist who outraged contemporaries with his disturbingly unfinished monuments; a sensualist who shocked France with his scandalous relationships; and a friend to the most gifted writers and artists of his day. Beautifully written and illustrated, Rodin is the definitive biography of a man whose influence on sculpture was as profound as Michelangelo's.

This is quite a hefty, 738 page book, but worth every page. As we know, sculpture is my favorite medium, and aside from Camille Claudel (who is Rodin's student, mistress, and model), Rodin is my favorite sculptor.

This book discusses all of his works from beginning to end. The various statues are not only listed or mentioned, but the story behind them flows. I guess this is why it's a biography! It is interesting to note his personality behind his work. It has been almost 15 years since I read this so unfortunately, the details are unclear now. But when I view his more erotic pieces such as The Kiss, Eternal Springtime, and especially Eternal Idol, I can picture in my mind, his more carnal personality. This is evident in the story of his life. Notwithstanding, and perhaps because of, his life and experiences, he has produced some of the greatest pieces of sculpture of all time.


The Kiss


Eternal Springtime


Eternal Idol

Heather, I am thrilled with this thread!!! Wonderful. I will certainly add the Rodin bio to my list. I have a huge art book library...I really don't know where to begin with a suggestion....so I will take your lead...and suggest "Naked Came I" by David Weiss. The book is out of print, but can be found. It is a novel based on Rodins life, similar to "the Agony and the Ecstasy" by Irving Stone...which I have read several times as well. As far as non-novel art books...I just finished "Clyfford Still, the Artists Museum"...loved every page and am greatly inspired by the magnificent paintings.

Thank you, Caprice, for your post. I love that you have a huge art book library! I am still trying to grow mine. I would love to know what other books you own, even if you haven't gotten to read them yet.

I second your suggestion for Naked Came I. Wonderful book. I can't remember, isn't it historical fiction, as you said like The Agony and the Ecstasy? Both great books IMO.

Wow! I love talking about art and art books!!! This is great. A list of all my art books? That would take a long time!!!! Where to begin? Since I am a landscape painter myself...and I am a Canadian...how about I introduce you to one of my favorite Canadian historical painters? This is such a beautiful book with many color reproductions. And a great story as the artist mysteriously drowned despite the fact that he was a very skilled outdoors man...they are unsure if his death was an accident or murder. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16...

Please also fill us in on your art book library! I am looking for my next read...

That sounds interesting about Tom Thomson. Is it just about his story and untimely death? Or does it describe his paintings? Does it describe his personality, life and experiences behind his work? Maybe his technique or influences? That sounds interesting, and of course, the mystery of his death caught my curiosity!

It has it all! He was a fantastic painter. the book is full of his paintings..as well as discussing his life...and untimely death. He became an honorary member of "the Group of Seven" which formed after his death. They are the most famous Canadian painters....there are several great books on them as well! Do you know of a good book on the MOMA? Visiting the MOMA is on my bucket list...but would love a good reference book in the meantime. Thanks.

Tom Thomson


Autumn Foliage


Birch Grove

Caprice wrote: "Do you know of a good book on the MOMA? Visiting the MOMA is on my bucket list...but would love a good reference book in the meantime."

Good question, Caprice. The MoMA is on my bucket list, too. In fact, New York City itself is a must see on my bucket list hopefully in the near future. Anyone? I'd be interested in such a book as well!

I hope this link will work....this is my favorite Thimpson painting. I have seen the original..it is large and is unforgettable...incredible..... http://images.search.yahoo.com/images...

Caprice wrote: "I hope this link will work....this is my favorite Thimpson painting. I have seen the original..it is large and is unforgettable...incredible..... http://images.search.yahoo.com/images......"

WOW! Thank you for sharing! I really like your favorite, too. It is not only a landscape, but its expression is ominous with the shadowing and silhouette of a dead-looking tree.

Another great Canadian painter....a woman who made history....back before it was "proper" for a woman to do so!!!! http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14...

One of my favorite Carr paintings:
http://images.search.yahoo.com/images...

I'm currently reading a book about the history of the MoMA. It's a biography but it is filled with so much fantastic infrmarion on art and the art works of the early 20th century.

Alfred H Barr Jr, Missionary for the Modern. By Alice Goldfarb Marquis.

Good idea for a thread, Heather. I didn't even know we didn't have such a thread already.

Thank you, Lobstergirl. I have to give the credit for the idea to Dvora. Thank you, Dvora!

I know we have mentioned his book several times, but I would like to hear some reviews, thoughts, and praise for our own Jonathan Lopez who wrote The Man Who Made Vermeers: Unvarnishing the Legend of Master Forger Han van Meegeren



Anyone?

I am also aware of another author in the group...John A. Karr who wrote Van Gogh, Encore. It is a twist to what we know of the life of Vincent van Gogh. Seems like a very interesting read. Maybe he could tell us more about it?

I would like to post one of the best books I've ever read about Caravaggio, my favorite artist of all time:




If you are interested in the Baroque or in the live of this extraordinary artist don't forget to read this book.

:)

Thanks, Heather!
Heather wrote: "Thank you, Lobstergirl. I have to give the credit for the idea to Dvora. Thank you, Dvora!"

I loved Jonathan's book (is he still in this group? Haven't heard from him in ages.) Here's the review I wrote when I read it:
This is an excellent book, well written, intriguing, and interesting in a lot of different ways and not just because of the forgery business. Lopez also covers war time collaboration, why forgeries work (when you look at the forged Vermeers now, it seems impossible that anyone could have taken them for genuine paintings by Vermeer, and yet at the time, the greatest experts were fooled) that has to do with people looking at art to some degree through the filter of their own times, and also the ability (or disability) of seeing what you want to see. The book is about much more than just the man van Meegeren and the forged paintings.(
Heather wrote: "I know we have mentioned his book several times, but I would like to hear some reviews, thoughts, and praise for our own Jonathan Lopez who wrote The Man Who Made Vermeers: Unvarnishing the Legend ..."

Thanks for mentioning the VanGogh book...I will add that to my reading list. I am currently reading this book on Van Gogh: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...

It is a good read, although very long....over 800 pages. Gives a different perspective on Van Goh as well.

Ironically, I am also reading this book on Caravaggio: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/98...

I have to admit...I bought this book for the painting on the cover. Saw that original painting in Rome and cried when I saw it! The book is good though and is a good representation of his work. Can't yet comment on the written aspects of the book...as I am not far enough along.

I've read that biography of Van Gogh by Naifeh and Smith White. It's execellent and offers a very convincing argument for Vincent's death as not being a suicide.
I tend to read anything I can get my hands on about Van Gogh, novels included, but the one named above seems so far fetched that I can't get myself to buy it. In fact, for the most part, none of the novels I've read come close to doing him justice. I keep getting the feeling, with each successive one, that they are just a rip off of a famous name.
Caprice wrote: "Thanks for mentioning the VanGogh book...I will add that to my reading list. I am currently reading this book on Van Gogh: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...

It is a good read,..."

I just finished The Stones of Florence by Mary McCarthy. There's a ton of information packed into it, although it's not very long. I would highly recommend it to anyone who perhaps knows a little about Florence but not much - has been there once or twice, or not at all - both the casual tourist and the art aficionado will have an interesting read. It covers all aspects of Florence but concentrates on art and artists, architects and architecture, and Renaissance history. I wrote a little review, most of which is an excerpt on Florentine Mannerism, to give an example of McCarthy's writing style.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I am currently reading about the Sistine chapel, in pursuit of my 2017 challenge, which it to read more about art.


And now I desperately want to go to Italy and see it for myself, I imagine that with all the arty people in this group some people must have seen it - I would love to hear about the experience...

The early part of the book is a bit tough; there are a lot of Italian names I didn't know and couldn't remember, but about halfway it starts to become really engrossing as the chapel getts underway.

Deborah wrote: "I imagine that with all the arty people in this group some people must have seen it - I would love to hear about the experience..."

I went to the Vatican as part of a trip to Rome in 2012.

First, some practicalities. You can't just drop by the Sistine Chapel to have a look; you have to go through the entire circuit of the Vatican's public spaces to get there. It's about halfway through. Second, you won't have the place to yourself. Thousands of tourists go through the Vatican every day. Even though the tickets are timed, the groups get large, and the docents keep everyone moving. It won't be a restful or quiet experience.

That said, there's nothing like experiencing in person something you've seen in thousands of pictures over your lifetime. It's a lovely space, smaller than you imagine, and there's a lot more going on than just the ceiling.

BTW, there are a few other pretty things to see at the Vatican while you're there.

Thanks Lance, yes, I have already been reading up of trip adviser I admit.

While I normally avoid tours of all kinds, I am willing to be a sheep in a tour for the higher goal of seeing the amazing art project I am reading about, in person.

I have always wanted to see the Vatican museums, so I would probably go there anyway if I was in Rome. This book is just added incentive really.

Deborah wrote: "I am currently reading about the Sistine chapel, in pursuit of my 2017 challenge, which it to read more about art.


And now I desperately wa..."

I actually saw the Sistine chapel the first time in 1993 when the ceiling itself was being cleaned so most of the ceiling wasn't clearly visible. But the Final Judgment on the wall was amazing! At that time, I didn't have to do as Lance described and go through all that 'timing' and 'lines', etc. I just went in and gazed around with, yes, a LOT of people. At that time, and I believe it still is currently, we couldn't take pictures with a flash, or maybe couldn't take pictures at all of the artwork.

The second time I saw the Sistine Chapel, the ceiling had been cleaned and it was beautiful! At that time, the Final Judgment had the scaffolding all in front of it being cleaned and I couldn't see it clearly.

I haven't been back since then but I believe it would be amazing to see the whole chapel as it is now!

The first time I went to the Vatican Museum, it was an awesome experience. Of course, again in 1993. But in 2006 the line was 4 hours long and, having already been there, though it is definitely worth another look, I didn't want to wait in the crowds.

I hope you do get to Italy! The country itself is absolutely amazing!

Buon Viaggio!

I hope to get there, I have been reading quite a bit about the Quartocentro and I think it is motivating me.Who knows, 2018 might be the year.

Well, bit off topic there.....

The book is pretty good, apparentlyRoss King has written other historical books about art and I think the experience shows. Well worth reading, even if I am not getting through it especially fast; I keep googling images and extra information as I go.

Deborah wrote: "Well, bit off topic there.....

The book is pretty good, apparentlyRoss King has written other historical books about art and I think the experience shows. Well worth reading, even i..."

I think that is the best way to read a book on such topics as yours.

In fact, when Dan Brown wrote Angels and Demons I was looking forward to visiting Italy the next year and literally googled which sites were written about in the book and we went touring Rome that way (of course seeing the other important fascinations of Rome, also)

I think 'Angels' became a bit of a tourist route for a while; much like Lord of the Rings in New Zealand, and Harry Potter in the UK. It is an interesting way to organise a trip and I quite like the idea.

Just finished by Susan Vreeland

Beautifully written, with amazing historic detail and about art. Seemed to tick all the boxes and I did quite enjoy it.... But for goodness sake! Why tell me it is 'a novel' when it is a set of short stories? Three stars for deceiving the paying customer.

Review; https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Deborah wrote: "Just finished by Susan Vreeland

Beautifully written, with amazing historic detail and about art. Seemed to tick all the boxes and I did quit..."

I think she is a great writer, but thanks for the tidbit about the conniving way to sell her 'book'.

I am maybe a bit more miffed than I need to be. The writing and the research are both wonderful. I am just not that into short stories - í read too fast. so I was annoyed that I had no warning. would still recommend it though.

I have just finished by Carola Hicks

This was a five star wow of a book, informative, a joy to read and a sorrow to finish.
My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Deborah wrote: "I have just finished by Carola Hicks

This was a five star wow of a book, informative, a..."

Thank you for posting this, Deborah! I really enjoyed reading your well-written review!

You explained several reasons for why you enjoyed this book so much, and also explained how the author helped you enjoy it through her wonderful writing. You even explained how it is written in a way as to seem more like reading a story rather than just history.

I smiled at one of your last statements "I was greedily browsing the list of other works by the same author before I had finished the book and plotting how to get my hands on them. " Nice imagery there! I can just see that.

It's sad to know about the book being the last published by that author due to her fatal medical condition. I am finding, as you insinuated a bit, that good writing is sometimes harder to come by now days as it seems anyone can write anything, anywhere (i.e. social media--FB, Twitter, etc).

I'm curious as to how many other people belonging to Goodreads, being an online book club of sorts, have found that grammar, spelling, punctuation, or even lazy abbreviations that aren't even words (like "r u going 2 b" instead of "are you going to be") is more careless, the writing is basically thoughtless anymore. Does anyone else feel this way?

I guess I went off on a tangent, but I do want to thank you for sharing your review and I, too, would like to go see the painting again now!

Deborah wrote: "I hope to get there, I have been reading quite a bit about the Quartocentro and I think it is motivating me.Who knows, 2018 might be the year."

Hey again, Deborah! I just saw this that you posted almost two years ago...Well?
Was 2018 the year for Italy? Did you get to go? I'd love to know!

Heather wrote: "Deborah wrote: "I hope to get there, I have been reading quite a bit about the Quartocentro and I think it is motivating me.Who knows, 2018 might be the year."

Hey again, Deborah! I just saw this ..."
Hi Heather - funnily enough, I re-read that review just recently also...

No, unfortunately, 2018 was not the year for travel. I was still recovering from all the surgeries of 2016-2017 and then (like yourself) I decided on a sea-change, changed jobs and moved to the Gold Coast. So, for me, literally a sea change as I can head the ocean when I got to bed at night.

I am now hoping that 2019 will be the year! Not for Italy though, I have a friend in Berlin to visit and then I want to go to Amsterdam and immerse myself in some of the old masters. I am planning right now :)

I’m jealous! I would love to go to Germany and Amsterdam! I hope you get there this year!

Fingers crossed. Finances are lean but I think I would regret not doing it.

I really enjoyed this one , here's my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

And one of my favourite things about reading on kindle was I could zoom out the images, here's mt review that gives more info of how I found it https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

It seems you’ve been reading quite a bit about Van Gogh lately. That’s great! And I’m looking forward to reading both your reviews. Again, thank you for attaching the links.

Heather wrote: "It seems you’ve been reading quite a bit about Van Gogh lately. That’s great! And I’m looking forward to reading both your reviews. Again, thank you for attaching the links."

you're welcome Heather. It's hard to beleive it's almost the end of the year. I'm starting to think about what art books to read next year - there's so many to choose from

Inkspill wrote: "I really enjoyed this one , here's my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

And one of my favourite things about reading [bookcover:The let..."

I need to read another book about Van Gogh this year; I have a book of his letters with a pretty rare introduction and analysis that I have been saving for a rainy day.

Great review Inkspill! I commented on it under the review. You can read it there.

Heather wrote: "Great review Inkspill! I commented on it under the review. You can read it there."

thanks Heather I've replied on my review page.

Also, I'm v excited, I've just found the exhibition catalogue on Kindle https://www.amazon.com/Tale-Genji-Vis..., I didn't see the exhibition but I was planning to read The Tale of Genji in 2020 so this is perfect.

MY New Fine Art Book
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
My Friend SAMO Late 1970-80s
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

I like to recommend an art catalog from an author I know personally. Frances Tyler worked at the National Gallery of Art. She has developed a catalog of Romanian modern art from her husband, Geoffrey Tyler‘s collection. These exquisite paintings and sculptures are now housed in the University of Tasmania, Australia. I have enjoyed these lovely pictures and I hope you all will follow her page and leave reviews. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...