MBR: The Art Shelf
Midwest Book Review
Persian Painting
Sheila R. Canby
Interlink Publishing Group
46 Crosby St, Northampton, MA 01060
1566565731 $19.95 interlinkbooks.com
Persian Painting is a concise and fully illustrated account of Persian
painting from 1300 to 1900. 40 black-and-white and 50 color photographs
of brilliant and historical works of art spring off the page, offering
a dazzling glimpse into six centuries of Iranian history. Starting
wieht a discussion of the materials and tools used by Persian artists,
Persian Painting explores the context, stylistic development, and
historical background behind the draughtsmanship and cultural themes of
Persian miniature painting, in terms accessible to the lay reader or
beginning art student. A welcome contribution to art history shelves.
Devotion Splendor
Christina M. Nielsen
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603-6110
0295984589 $16.95 1-312-443-3600
Devotion Splendor: Medieval Art At The Art Institute Of Chicago
catalogues over fifty medieval objects from the Art Institute of
Chicago, including works from the early Christian era to the later
Middle Ages. Black-and-white and some color photographs of priceless
historical artworks draw the reader into a rich collection of vivid and
beautiful works. An introduction offers and overview of medieval art
for each century, and each photograph of an art object has an
accompanying text segment describing its history, original use,
artistic themes, and other significant features. Showcased items
include a Siculo-Arabic Casket that once served as a reliquary, a
double-sided manuscript leaf of sixth-century pope Saint Gregory, an
embroidered retable and altar frontal, and much more. A captivating
collection of artistic treasures.
Matisse: His Art and His Textiles
Ann Dumas, et al.
Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
100 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011
www.abramsbooks.com
1903973465 $65.00 1-800-759-0190
The collaborative publishing project of art historians and expeters Ann
Dumas, Jack Flam, Remi Labrusse, and Hilary Spurling, Matisse: His Art
And His Textiles is a stunning, full-color artbook showcasing how Henri
Matisse, an artist descended from weavers, was influenced by his
personal collection of vivid textiles - Persian carpets, Arab
embroideries, African wall hangings, cushions, curtains, patterned
screens, backcloths and more. Over 100 of Matisse's artworks along with
numerous colorful fabrics, displayed as the catalogue of an exhibition
at the Musee Matisse, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, and the
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The text explores the
connection that Matisse had to beautiful textile works, though the
latter half of Matisse: His Art And His Textiles is devoted entirely to
breathtaking paintings, sketches, and art objects. An enthusiastically
recommended addition to library collections and art shelves.
Claude Raguet Hirst
Martha M. Evans
Columbus Museum of Art
c/o Hudson Hills Press
PO Box 205, 74-2 Union Street, Manchester, VT 05254
0918881544 $45.00 hudsonhills.com
Claude Raguet Hirst: Transforming The American Still Life is an artbook
focusing on the hyper-realistic still life works of Claude Raguet Hirst
(1855-1942), a female artist who created works to appeal to men and
women, as opposed to her professional collegues who often painted
primarily for a male audience. Written by a guest curator and expert of
Hirst's work, Claude Raguet Hirst: Transforming The American Still Life
describes Hirst's life and the themes behind her works in detail,
illustrated with the paintings themselves in glorious full color, as
well as some black-and-white images. Pictures of cherished books left
half-open, reading glasses resting on the pages as a makeshift
bookmark, come across with such a vivid impression that it appears as
though the reader will be coming back any minute. A beautiful and
recommended contribution to library collections and personal artbook
shelves.
Olbinski: Posters for Performing Arts
Richard Wilde, introduction
Nahan Editions/Patinae, Inc.
c/o National Book Network
4270 Boston Way, Lanham, MD 20706
www.patinae.com
1878768042 $50.00 1-800-462-6420
Olbinski: Posters For Performing Arts is a splendid, full-color gallery
Rafal Olbinski's artworks, originally created from to draw attention to
performing arts, from bullfighting to jazz to circus performances and
more. The allegorial images, some of which play upon classic artworks
or themes, and span the latter third of the twentieth century to the
modern day. A brief introduction offers a few pages of insight into
Olbinski, but the rest of Olbinski: Posters For Performing Arts is
entirely given over to the brilliant works themselves. Highly
recommended for library and personal artbook collections.
21st Century Ceramics
Bill Hunt
The American Ceramic Society
735 Ceramic Place, Westerville OH 43081
1574982230 $49.95 www.ceramics.org
21st Century Ceramics In The United States & Canada is a contemporary
artbook featuring sculptures, vases, plates, and more artistic ceramic
creations. Introductions by various artists and full-color photographs
showcase the stunning array of brilliant pieces, from historical-style
to unique original and modern works. A welcome addition to modern art
books and art treasury shelves, whether for personal collections or
public libraries.
Parrish Blue
Media Artists Inc.
c/o Crystal Productions
PO Box 2159, Glenview, IL 60025-6159
www.crystalproductions.com
DV2671-W $39.95 1-800-255-8629
Especially renowned for his distinctive use of color, Maxfield Parrish
was one of the most popular and influential American artists and
illustrators of early twenty-century America. Shortly after his death
in 1967, his son, Maxfield Parrish, Jr. and the other most influential
American illustrator and artist of the time, Norman Rockwell, presented
their understanding of the man who clearly dominated the popular arts
of his day and whose work was to be found in a wide range of forums
that included library mural paintings, magazine covers, decorative
prints, book illustrations, notecards, and even advertisements. Parrish
Blue was the film that captured those conversations and insights as
viewers are introduced to the life and work of a most remarkable
artist. This 27-minute, full color DVD edition is from newly discovered
"answer print" and although clearly reflects the age of the master
print through scratches and grain, it is nonetheless enthusiastically
recommended viewing for anyone with an interest in American art history
in general, and the enduringly popular works of Maxfield Parrish in
particular!
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