The Artbook Shelf

[mwboo...@aol.com]

THE ARTBOOK SHELF

The 20th Century Art Book
Phaidon Press
0-7148-3542-0 $39.95

More than any other era, the 20th Century offers us an unrivalled galaxy
of styles and approaches to art. The last ten decades have been a
fast-moving epoch of inventions, discoveries and political upheavals. As
a result, the art scene has also radically changed: it has become more
than international, artists have experimented with new media including oil
paint, collage, sculpture, ready-made objects, installation, and video.
The status of women artists has grown immeasurably. Phaidon's The 20th
Century Art Book offers an A to Z guide to these innovative artists with
500 full-page color plates presenting celebrated works alongside future
classics. each image is accompanied by an incisive text, shedding light on
the work and its creator. The alphabetical arrangement presents
thought-provoking juxtapositions, while cross-references lead the reader
through the century by subject matter, style or medium. Full glossaries of
terms, artistic movements, museums and galleries are included, creating a
self-contained volume which presents a whole new way of looking at 20th
Century art. The 20th Century Art Book is a benchmark publication that
will serve as the principle art reference work for decades to come.

Picasso
Jean-Louis Ferrier
Terrail
JHB Public Relations (publicity)
2-87939-088-5 $24.95 1-201-872-4664

Picasso invites the reader to set aside preconceived ideas before
exploring the work of one of the 20th century's greatest and most
influential artists, and to relive one of the most profound revolutions in
pictorial art. By the age of twenty, Pablo Picasso had produced over a
thousand paintings and drawings, but his first critical success came in
1907 at the age of twenty-six when he created his famous Les demoiselles
d"Avignon. Notables in the Paris art world were too shocked to express
disapproval; never before had they seen such a crude transformation of
reality. As a painter, Picasso questioned, transformed, and ultimately
disfigured the material world surrounding him, giving birth to a new era
in art. His talent is illuminated in this complete survey with 120
brilliant full-color illustrations and 25 b/w documents that span from
1896 to 1972, from his class portraits and still-lifes as a young artist,
to his outrageous masterpieces in cubism and realism, and also including
his sculpture and ceramic art. Picasso is an outstanding contribution to
an complete understanding of the man and his work.

Manuel Neri: Early Work 1953-1978
Jack Cowart, et al.
Hudson Hills Press, Inc.
230 Fifth Ave., #1308, NY, NY 10001
0-88675-046-6 $65.00 1-212-889-3090

Manuel Neri is a key figure in the historic and influential Bay Area
figurative art movement. After working as a painter and ceramicist, Neri
turned to plaster sculpture based on Rodin's fragmented torsos inspired by
unearthed Greek and Roman sculpture. Neri has taken this tradition one
step further, painting vivid brush strokes on works that combine lovingly
modeled areas with passages of gouging and slashing. Manuel Neri: Early
Work 1953-1978 is a magnificent, comprehensive collection with essays
devoted to his paintings, drawings, and sculpture. The 391 color plates
combine with 185 b/w illustrations to make this a benchmark publication on
the work and artistic genius of Manuel Neri.

Unseen Warhol
John O'Connor & Benjamin Liu
Rizzoli International
0-8478-1967-1 $50.00

Two of Warhol's former assistants have collected his unseen works into a
package which contains gifts the artist gave to his close friends and
associates. These are paired with recollections and histories to provide
an intriguing new angle on Warhol's art and times, creating a unique
catalog which will prove essential to any student of Warhol's art.

Mixing Messages
Ellen Lupton
Princeton Architectural Press
1-56898-099-X $35.00

Lupton's exploration of graphic design in modern culture uses numerous
color graphic design examples to trace the social and artistic function of
graphic design in society. Chapters examine both intellectual and artistic
messages inherent in graphic artists' productions, using examples of
modern works to consider mediums and messages. An intriguing survey any
designer will want to consult.

Mary Engelbreit: Art & Artist
Patrick Regan & Mary Engelbreit
Andrews & McMeel
0-8362-2232-6 $29.95

Many know Engelbreit from her greeting card art; yet few are familiar with
the background and history of the artist herself. This provides a blend of
autobiographical sketch and artistic insights, also producing one of the
most in-depth Engelbreit catalogs available. Full-page color photos of her
works accompany descriptions of her career and professional development.

Hugh Lauter Levin Associates

Four excellent, different new titles on this publisher's Fall list are
highly recommended picks for discriminating art libraries. Robert
Boardingham's Impressionist Masterpieces In American Museums
(0-88363-156-3, $35.00) is a bargain: it packs in classic Impressionist
works gathered from American museum holdings and presents a range of
images which highlight works of individuals and the movement as a whole.
Accompanying biographical detail explores both artist intention and
overall artistic and philosophical contributions to the movement as a
whole. Robert Shaw's Hawaiian Quilt Masterpieces (396-5, $35.00) is
recommended for any collection strong on quilting art, which wants to
adopt a more regional approach. The focus on Hawaii allows for a thorough
exploration of both quilt art and quilting history of the islands. Vena
Lefferts and John Kelsey's Floral Style (056-7, $60.00) focuses on flower
arranging with a difference, exploring the art of arranging. There's a
great difference between your casual 'how to' and a thorough investigation
of style and image involved in floral arranging: this provides the
fundamentals of understanding flower size, color, and interactions within
a vase. Nancy Mowll Mathews' Cassatt (256-X, $75.00) provides a more
in-depth exploration of Cassatt's art than competing biographical
sketches. Here full- page color reproductions of her works supplement
writings and memoirs by her contemporaries, exploring the range of her
works and influences in a treasure trove of images.

Paintings of New England
Carl Little
Down East Books
0-89272-384-X $30.00

Over a hundred paintings of New England scenes by almost a hundred artists
from Thomas Cole to Winslow Homer are included in this catalog of two
centuries of New England representation. These paintings have been
gathered from private holdings, museums, and historical societies alike:
all provide a wide range of styles and perspectives based on the New
England theme.

Wildfowl Art
Ernie Sparks & Laurel Aziz
Firefly Books
1-55209-043-4 $40.00

Carvings from the Ward World championship of wood carvers are presented in
a beautiful color photo catalog exploring the wood carving artistic
movement. These contemporary sculptures represent the best efforts and
will please both bird fans and artists; the later group receiving comments
about carving production and coloring choices.

Collective Vision
Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago
University of Chicago Press
0-933856-43-1 $24.95

The fundamentals involved in creating a contemporary art museum are
presented both visually, in color photos, and in writing as contributors
explore the founding of a new art museum in Chicago. While at first glance
this production might seem exclusive to Chicago readers, look again: the
description of the project from funding through building and
representations within contrasts a variety of issues and approaches to
making a museum, applicable to any such endeavor and to students
interested in architecture.

The Art of Decoration
Nina Campbell
Clarkson Potter
0-517-70466-8 $40.00

Interior designer Campbell shares her secrets for producing traditional
and modern stylistic blends: secrets which have successfully promoted her
as one of England's top designers. Ten homes are used as design examples
and excellent tips given on their redecoration and strategies for design.
The result is a practical guide as well as a catalog of Campbell's
makeovers.

Da Capo Press

The Weimar Period is that between the end of World War I and Hitler's rise
to power: John Willett's Art And Politics In The Weimar Period
(0-306-80724-6, $17.95) is an exploration of social and political currents
during the time documents both design and art world changes and
perspectives and social consciousness and adjustments. The result is an
unusual cultural study which uses art as one of the methods for tracing
changing social currants. Gary Giddins' Faces In The Crowd (80705-X,
$13.95) provides an intriguing critical perspective on the performances of
musicians, film producers and writers alike. Jazz Columnist and critic
Giddins provides lively essays which consider both technical and personal
accomplishments.

Art of Reflection
Marsha Meskimmon
Columbia University Press
0-231-10687-4 $18.50

20th century female artists' self-portraiture is explored in a fine guide
which packs in over forty black and white illustrations of works by Frida
Kahlo, Alice Neel, Susan Hiller, and others. The depth of this work lies
not in its peppering of self portraits, however, but in its blend of
feminist theory and critical insights on the various forms employed by
women in the art of self-portraiture.

A Guide to Licensing Artwork
Marilyn Moore
Kent Press
Box 1169, Stamford, CT 06904-1169
1-88206-03-9 $15.95

Artists who want to present their works to commercial entities would do
well to keep this guide close at hand: it provides guidelines for
incorporating art into commercial products, from analyzing the art's
applicability to commercial markets to negotiating agreements with
manufacturers and collecting royalties. Plenty of guidelines on
presentation and business alike contribute to an important, practical
guide.

Impressionists Side By Side
Barbara Ehrlich White
Knopf
0-679-44317-7 $65.00

Art historian White provides an important and different history of the
Impressionist movement, examining personal and professional relationships
between seven pairs of artists. This goes beyond the usual retrospective
in providing a narrower focus which contrasts different treatments of
identical objects and how the artists influenced one another. Diaries,
interviews and letters round out the numerous fine illustrations.
Essential for any serious collection of Impressionist art history.

University of Washington Press

Joyce Townsend's study of J.M.W. Turner's experimentation with new
watercolor pigments and paint formulations through his lifetime, Turner's
Painting Techniques (1-85437-202-5, $27.95), covers the special techniques
used in his works, examining his productions and their underlying ideas.
While black and white and color representations of Turner's works are
peppered throughout, use this more as an exciting analysis of Turner's
inspirations and influence in the art world. Ruth Berson edits the
impressive two-volume set New Painting Documentation: Impressionism
1874-86 (0-295-96704-5, $150.00), which identifies works of art from the
first impressionist groups formed. New research into the history and art
of the era contribute to this two-volume work: Volume 1 containing
transcripts of the reviews which appeared of Impressionist works of the
times, and the second volume packing in illustrations of all artworks from
the Impressionist exhibitions. Extensive references and notes make for a
far more scholarly effort than most and will greatly aid the art historian
seeking depth rather than casual study.

Return of the Real
Hal Foster
MIT Press
0-262-56107-7 $18.50

This examination of art and theory over the last three decades of
avant-garde works considers both history and philosophy, presenting a
scholarly and in-depth survey. Black and white reproductions of works by
various artists pepper a survey which consider the controversies and
issues of avant garde art and theory.

Paul Cezanne
Isabelle Cahn
Sterling
0-304-34777-9 $29.95

Cahn's thematic representation of Cezanne's art provides well over a
hundred paintings, watercolors and drawings by the artist, along with
forty works by those influenced by Cezanne. This contrast provides both a
basic introduction to Cezanne and a better understanding of his efforts at
mixing old traditions with new innovations. Nothing much new for avid
Cezanne fans; but newcomers will find this an important introduction.

Paris Between the Wars
Carol Mann
Vendome Press
0-86565-981-8 $39.95

Artistic life and changes in Paris in the 1920s and 30s are charted in a
dynamic blend of history and art review. This does more than document art
trends and transition points: it links the art world's changes to social
and cultural issues of the times, considering the overall atmosphere of
the city during one of its most creative periods. Black and white duotones
throughout accent a title essential for understanding the era.

Exchanging Hats
Elizabeth Bishop
Farrar, Straus & Giroux
0-374-15090-7 $40.00

William Benton edits this volume of Bishop's paintings, which represent
the range of her talents in mediums ranging from watercolor to collages
and gouaches. Also included are selections of her writings, from letters
to prose pieces, about art and painting which further enlighten the
newcomer to this relatively obscure artist's works.

The 20th Century Art Book
Phaidon
0-7148-3542-0 $39.95

With over 500 pages and 500 color illustrations, the price tag of this
extensive, thick volume represents a real bargain in the art world. In
1994 Phaidon Press in London published The Art Book, a fine review of fine
art. Enjoy a similar companion in the U.S. distributor's latest version,
which retains its value, easily- used dictionary format, and attention to
fine full-page illustrations and features. A real steal.

Paul Cezanne: Portrait of My World
Corbis
$49.95 CD-ROM 1-800-246-2065

With Paul Cezanne: Portrait Of My World we journey into the fascinating
world of one of the greatest originators of modern art with an art master
as our guide. Cezanne's compelling personal reflections, a series of
engrossing virtual environments, magnificent artwork, and insightful
narratives bring to life the remarkable people, places, and art of his
time. Through CD-ROM technology we can take an interactive walk to the
locales Cezanne frequented including his studio, a local train station,
the countryside that inspired him, a gallery exhibiting his favorite works
of art, and the bistros where he dined and socialized. Wherever we go, the
artist's words guide us with insights, opinions, and recollections.
Friends and acquaintances also share their memories of this great painter.
Throughout our journey we learn about the historical and cultural events
of the Cezanne era while viewing spectacular works by Cezanne and other
artists such as Braque, Goya, Monet, Picasso, Rembrandt, and van Gogh.
Insightful commentary about each painting helps us uncover its meaning and
significance. Paul Cezanne: Portrait Of My World provides an intimate look
at the life and times of this influential artist. Paul Cezanne: Portrait
of My World is ideal for all private and public western art collections.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization dedicated to the encouragement
of literacy and the promotion of community library useage. All MBR
reviewers are volunteers. No funding is accepted from any publisher or
author. Most of the books receiving our recommendation are available
through your local public library, either directly or through the
inter-library loan service.

Full permission is granted to anyone wishing to forward any or all of our
reviews to thematically appropriate internet discussion groups,
newsgroups, or listserves.

Your comments can be sent by email to any of the addresses listed below.
You are also invited to visit the MBR website. Please request our
"Reviewer Guidelines" if you would like to add your own reviews to the MBR
website.

Midwest Book Review
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575
608-835-7937
m...@execpc.com
mwboo...@aol.com
http://www.execpc.com/~mbr/bookwatch/