2 comments about Parisiennes: A Celebration of French Women.

1. I find this book fabulous. Pictures are beautiful, all of them in b/w and most of them of anonymous women, the proof of how french women (particularly parisiennes) are charming without the need of artificial effects such as money or marketing-made. They are rebels, mothers, lovers, elegants, self concious, self confidents, etc. But I think, that what is more important, they are very literate. They are always reading, writting....
   To sum up, my favorite part of the book are the quotes by writters, philosophers... about women, and parisiennes. But I must say, the original edition in french est plus charmante...



2. Perhaps it's my oversight in not checking the publication date of this book. I thought it would share more of the easy style and elegance of the French throughout history. The pictures, although many, were dated from 20's - 40's with a
   sprinkle of 50's style. I was hoping to see more of a range of pictures and fashion. The photography is done well and cover is stylish, but the book does not evoke any feeling of elegance within the pages......have not felt compelled to read
   through yet.

5 comments about Vincent Van Gogh: The Drawings (Metropolitan Museum of Art Series).

1. To find out how far short this book falls from many of the great drawings of Van Gogh you can go online and find many drawings not found in this book.There are many sites to look at Vincent's work. With zooming and enlarging the drawings you will have a better idea of the work . So many of the ink drawings of Van Gogh have faded. One of his greatest drawings of trees is in the Art Institute of Chicago.It is illustrated here.The authors miss the central importance of Vincent's work. His use of the reed pen was painterly. He used the reed pen as a brush technique.He drew ,many times when he was out of paints or waiting for canvases from Theo. The catalogue is useful in relating the drawings to his paintings . Often in a nearby page .Catalogues are great as a way of remembering and reviewing an important exhibit.This is an enormously ambitious book from the Metropolitan Museum. It falls short, as I think it would be much better to have a compact disk of the images.I have books on Van Gogh's stuff that I used to show my drawing classes.A book of this weight doesn't full fill the need of something you wish to carry with you.To have a major show of drawings in an era of installation art , I salute the museum's acknowledgement of the importance of these drawings. It is in the drawings that Van Gogh's reputation will continue to grow . His palette was unprecedented in the early 20th century. Since then, his command of color composition doesn't hold up to later developments.



2. a wonderful memory of a once in a lifetime exhibit. 7 years of drawing before he ever picked up a brush....



3. This is the catalogue for a 2005 exhibit at the Met. A valuable addition to the literature on Van Gogh, it encompasses his whole career as a draughtsman, and a brilliant one of course. The images are perfect (you sometimes get the impression that you are holding the actual drawing) and the text very helpful, giving sizes, provenances and many excerpts of Van Gogh's own letters.I remember visiting the exhibition in crammed rooms on a saturday afternoon, therefore I was glad to be able to savour it once again in a quieter atmosphere, thanks to the book.



4. Lord Kenneth Clark, at the end of his book and television series, Civilization, said he had come to believe that there was such a thing as "genius". After looking through this book, so will you.
   
   With over 350 drawings, mostly reproduced in color, and dozens more color reproductions of paintings, this will no doubt be the definitive work of the artist's drawings. We see many of his early drawings, including those enhanced with chalk, watercolor, etc. We see the drawings and watercolors done in preparation for his paintings and then we see the paintings themselves.
   
   But the high points of the book are the three drawings in pen and ink done after each of the paintings and intended as reproductions of those works. He wanted a means to share these paintings with three different correspondents: John Russell, Emile Bernard and his brother Theo. He obviously couldn't afford the oil and canvas to reproduce each painting three more times. These laborious drawings were executed and mailed to individuals with whom Van Gogh wanted to share his work (and perhaps impress), or, in the case of his brother, to also show his love and appreciation. Slight variations among the three drawings after the same painting show further, "post-oil" development of each subject and give us additional insight into his style and his thinking. The color reproductions of his drawings allow us to see how the ink on each has faded over time and a 100-year old reproduction of a drawing shows us how the original has faded over time. Because virtually all of the drawings done as a mature artist were on 9-1/2 by 11-1/2 sheets, the reproductions in the book are almost actual size.
   
   Fortunately, both Bernard and Theo's widow and heirs believed very strongly in his work, including his drawings, and ignored the advice of critics to throw it all away. They continued to promote the artist's work after his death, eventually leading to his broader recognition over the following decades. If you appreciate great drawing, this is a "must have" book.



5. The book is much more technical than the "Letter" book I recently read. I enjoy that because I have always wanted to know how he painted or drew his pictures as well as how is life and painting developed.

1 comments about Exhibiting Cultures: The Poetics and Politics of Museum Display.

1. excellent compilation, although spencer r crew and james e sims' article 'locating authenticity: fragments of a dialogue' can be repetitive, it makes excellent points in the section 'some locations of authenticity'.

No comments about Painting People: Figure Painting Today.

4 comments about Lucian Freud.

1. Among the many publications available on the British master, this one is undoubtedly the best. Written by a specialist of Freud's art, it is almost a catalogue raisonné and follows a chronological pattern that starts with the early paintings from the 1940's and ends with the latest works from 2007. Especially interesting are the various interviews of the artist that give invaluable insight on his working methods and how he views his own art. All the illustrations are in full color and enable the reader to distinguish the thick and brutal brushstrokes of the painter and his ability to extract the beauty in the ugliness of the human being.
   
   A tour de force of an artbook.



2. The book opens with an essay by William Feaver; personal and enlightening it makes fascinating reading; the writer has clearly known the artist for some time. Feaver conveys a clear picture of the artist, his background and training, and his approach to his work. Also included are four conversations between Fever and Lucian Freud: November 1992 (appeared The Observer December 1992), April 1998 (The Observer May 1998), November 2001 (on John Constable) and February 2007. The book concludes with a List of Illustrations, fairly brief Chronology and a Bibliography.
   
   This book is illustrated throughout in full-colour including the black and white drawings but not the etchings, which alone are reproduced in black and white half-tone. There are 362 illustrations in the Plates section with many more pictures accompanying the essay.
   
   This large format book comes in a very substantial slip-case. The outstanding feature of the book however is the reproduction of the paintings; mostly full-page in size, with many bleed images and several double-page spreads. The work is arranged chronologically with the earliest dating from 1939 up to 2006; almost entirely portraits, figures or groups, there is the occasional still life and a few scenes. An impressive and beautiful book superbly illustrated, it is to be highly recommended.



3. This is an excellent edition of Freud's work. Not much text to clutter up the images (large, over 300). Even comes in an attractive slip-case.



4. This is a very nice reprint in a slipcase version. Its artwork chronicles up throgh 2006. I have the old Random House slip case book from 1996 with an intro by Bernard. The reproductions up through '96 are almost all the same. The Random House versions images are about 20 percent bigger. This new book has three nice interviews with Freud. This version has about 75 paintings beyond the 1996 version. Not enough for me to keep the book, but If you are looking for the best catalog of his work, this is it. Get it now, it will go out of print and a book shark will be happy to sell it to you at 5 times its current price.

5 comments about A Journey into Dorothy Parker's New York (ArtPlace series).

1. Detailed enough for Parker enthusiasts, yet accessible to the new Parker fan, this beautifully illustrated book has something for everyone. Even after reading the book, I find myself dipping back into it to reread various sections and look at the gorgeous photographs. If you or someone you know is a Parker fan, buy this book!!



2. I love Dorothy Parker, New York, and the 20's, 30's and 40's to include the clothes, music, theatre, books, personalities - the whole culture of that era. This book touches so much of that. It's the portal for stepping back 70-90 years - and for becoming addicted to celebrating all things DP. You can take your own tour with this book (either actual or virtual) and feel the energy and excitement of New York, see buildings that no longer exist or now have different facades or purposes. You can even pop into a pub along the way and fully develop that hint of whisky or gin that you think you smell in the alleyways - or on the pages.
   
   I have purchased copies of this book as gifts to friends and loaned my copy out several times because it never fails to prompt further interest in Dorothy Parker, the Vicious Circle, and New York in general. I've found that A Journey Into Dorothy Parker's New York is equally enjoyed by friends you might say are more academically inclined as well as those who are more experientially motivated.



3. This book is a fun and informative read. Any fan of Dorothy Parker needs a copy of this book (hell, I have two!) Kevin is able to provide the reader with a tour of an era. Great!



4. The first half of the twentieth century was filled with constant change and development; it was an exciting time to be alive. "A Journey into Dorothy Parker's New York" is a focus on the woman herself, but a bigger focus on the city she lived in and its constant change through two world wars, a great depression, and so much more events. Filled with countless photos, both color and black and white, "A Journey into Dorothy Parker's New York" is a seminal look at the woman and the city, sure to please fans of her work and New Yorkers alike. "A Journey into Dorothy Parker's New York" is highly recommended for community library biography collections and students of the history and culture of New York City.



5. This book provides an armchair walking tour of the meaningful places for the writer Dorothy Parker in NYC. It is also an excellent accompaniment to the Portable Dorothy Parker.

5 comments about Hearst Castle: The Biography of a Country House.

1. This book is a great combination of pictures and info. A picture book with beautiful photos and very informative stories on the Hearst Castle, Mr Hearst himself, and architect Julia Morgan. Replete with extensive footnotes and background facts.
   
   I read it once before a recent visit to the Hearst castle, and I am going through it again to reminisce over the wonderful architecture and art treasures at this magical place, captured here in a wonderful book.



2. I enjoyed this book, and the details of his life relating to the building of this wonderful American treasure. I wish there had been more photos showing the details of the fine art and antiques collected from Europe early in this past century. Also it would have been worthwhile to show much more and better photos of the architectural elements of stone moulding, stucco detail, doors, tiles, ceilings, floor designs and iron work.



3. I actually bought this for a gift for my neighbor,she had been looking for it for a while and she was very excited and said the pictures inside were fantastic.



4. Hearst castle is just an amazing tribute to one man's enormous ego. I am glad that it is preserved as a set piece for Hearst, for that is what he intended all along. This book captures the signifigance of the estate, the images are well concieved, though not as crisp as expected, and the text is informative. This certainly is not the definitive book on Hearst Castle, but it is well worth the purchace none the less. If you have any interest in Hearst Castle, or gilded age extravagance in general, then i cant imagine you being disappointed in this book.



5. Fantastic book exceptional pictures and loaded with written details. Usually in a book like this you get one or the other here you get both! A must read and viewed book,a bit spendy but worth every cent!

2 comments about Scott 2007 Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue: Countries of the World So-z (Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue Vol 6 So-Z).

1. 
   I really like all of the color photographs of the stamps and how the series are grouped together. It makes it easy to find the stamps and country you are looking for.



2. Any one who has ever thought of collecting stamps in the US, is familiar with the Scott stamp catalogs, the backbone of the collectors world. Yeah, they're a bit pricy, but then look at the work that has gone and continues to go into them! NEW for 2007.....COLOR!!!!! OMG!!!!! Most of the illustrations are now in COLOR!!!!!
   
   I am in the process of inventorying my Grandfather's massive stamp horde to try and sell it off. At ChicagoPex this year, I was drooling over the new catalogs, mumbling something about "color......". My sister wasn't overly impressed with the concept (she's since changed her mind!) and balked at spending that much money for a new set of catalogs. We've been working out of a 1999 set.
   
   Needless to say, I won! Hallelujah! Especially for the "not so informed" or anyone with not so good eyesight, the color makes a HUGE difference! It is SO much easier to find a stamp that you're looking for! I can not thank Scott enough for their huge effort in rescanning every single stamp in existence (that they could get their hands on).
   
   Bottom line......if you're thinking about it, but doing the "well, my catalogs aren't that old yet" or "boy, that's a lot of money to shell out", my advise is BUY THEM!

5 comments about Fly Now!: The Poster Collection of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

1. Wow this book was a major disappointment! The selection of posters is really poor compared to others on this subject. As an avid collector of aviation art and as an artist myself give this book a miss.



2. A poor design, bad editing, and incredibly lackluster. A purchase I regret making.
   
   The writer seems content in believing that her words are more important than the very subject she's supposed to be covering - Airline Posters. What's with the 3rd grade point size? Are we all that far-sighted that we need 18 point text to deliver the message? Some of the nicest images - and there aren't nearly enough - are reduced to the point of being worthless. Or worse - they're enlarged so big that they're cropped. What? Is centering that difficult a concept for The Smithsonian? And explain why one would double-page through the gutter? Fully one-fifth of the image is stuck in between the binding!
   
   Virtually worthless. The only saving grace is that there are a handful of nice images that are: Centered, not cropped, not cluttered or crowded off the page with text, and of decent quality. But not nearly enough to justify the purchase price.
   
   I wonder how good this could have been had Chronicle Books handled the book?



3. I've been a fan of vintage flying and travel posters for many years. This book is one of the best I've seen. There is a poster on every page describing a little about each one. Some of I've seen before, but most I've never seen before. The printing and colors in the book are very well done.
   If anyone is interested in travel or retro posters, this is a good book to start.



4. This book is a wonderful combination of eye-catching graphics and insightful commentary. It really transported me back to an era when flying was special, elegant and exciting. Anyone interesting in the history of transportation will enjoy this book.



5. Fly Now! is a collection of the air and space museum but a wonderful invitation into the world of flight. I found the posters fascinating. The stories with each of them brought me into the time of which they were speaking. We take flying so for granted today. this books reveals the wonder, the danger, and the passion that brought us to this day. Bravo! Great work!

4 comments about Richard Serra Sculpture: Forty Years.

1. Besides the extraordinary contents of the book, I was surprised by the correct and coherent service of delivery. Nice.



2. I saw the exhibit at the New York MOMA and it was moving and breathtaking. I purchased the book afterwards from Amazon and was pretty disappointed by the pictures in the text. The black and white photos do not capture the essence or intrinsic qualities of the steel that Serra used. Further, the picture quality itself was poor, often out of focus or just a cheap job on printing. Perhaps the author just wanted to focus on the bare forms of the works. But the quality of the pages and prints are not what I'd expect from an exhibit at the MOMA.



3. This book is a stunning collection of Richard Serra's work over the years. Truly an American master. I am always intrigued by the choice to do Serra in black and white, but it works. I consider this book an essential addition to my collection of art texts.



4. This is the catalogue for the current Serra exhibition at the Moma in NY. Divided into four chapters, the first being an interview of the artist, the second focusing on the early works, the third on "Serra's abstract thinking" and the fourth on his sculptures in landscapes, it is a high-quality survey of the work of possibly the greatest sculptor alive.
   
   The text is profound and scholarly, which makes this publication a valuable tool for art students and teachers.
   
   However, the quality of the reproductions, all in black and white, could have been better: color photographs would have enabled the reader to see the interplay between sculptures and light and, of course, the effect of rust, both elements which, I think, are important in Serra's works.