No comments about Unseen Mendieta: The Unpublished Works of Ana Mendieta.

1 comments about The Restoration of Engravings, Drawings, Books, and Other Works on Paper (Getty Trust Publications: Getty Conservation Institute).

1. Surprisingly, this recognized classic has not heretofore appeared in English. This translation is the 1950 revised and expanded version of Scweidler's book in German first published in 1938. The subtitle of the title page of the 1950 edition (which is shown in facsimile) is "Past Mistakes and New Methods in the Removal of Age-related Damage to Cultural Treasures in the Graphic Arts." The editor Perkinson notes in his Introduction that Schweidler wrote, "In our field one may not create the new, but bring the old into order." In relation to this, the editor notes that Schweidler's approach to the restoration of old works on paper was that of a doctor to the cure of a patient. The author would agree as recognized by his use of German words which can be translated as "patients" (for pictures), "recuperation" (for a state after certain operations are done), and "surgery" (for the removal of certain problems). With his old-time craftsman's love of his craft, knowledge of its techniques, expertise in applying them, his connoisseur's attachment to different kinds of works on paper, and his assumption that his readers share his love and appreciation and are truly interested in learning the techniques to put old works on paper back "into order," Schweidler is the perfect teacher for this unsung, challenging, and demanding craft. He imparts a complete course from collecting old paper for restoration work through handling both old works and their restoration materials, the use of chemicals, and specialized topics such as The Chemical Treatment of Painted Rice Paper to storage for long-term preservation. Some of Schweidler's techniques are now widely-known in the field of professional preservationists and even among amateurs. Nonetheless, this work is still invaluable not only for Schweidler's meticulous guidance, but also for its editor's Introduction and many notes and the frequent useful illustrations.

1 comments about Picasso: 200 Masterpieces from 1898 to 1972.

1. Nice hardcover book with many color and black & white reproductions of the history of Picasso's work.

4 comments about Miniature Rooms: The Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago.

1. This is a great book to have. Wonderful pictures. Great detail. A must have for anyone interested in miniatures.



2. I had not heard anything about the Thorne rooms before, so when I received this book as a gift, I became completely enthralled with the images that were captured. As an avid lover of historic preservation and the decorative arts, I really appreciate how Mrs. Thorne captured the different historical eras in the fashion and furnishings of each room. It is truly amazing how detailed each room is. If you love historic preservation and/or miniatures, then this book is a must see and read!



3. This is certainly the definitive book on the sixty-eight miniature rooms in the Chicago Art Institute. Each room is given two photographs along with a description of the room pictured. The book also contains information on Mrs. Thorne and how the rooms came into being. Her artistry in creating miniature rooms which seem more like full sized interiors was amazing and her sense of taste and style impeccable.
   I have visited The Thorne Rooms many times over the years and they never fail to enchant me. This book allows me to call them to mind easily and aids me in my own building of miniature rooms. The one thing that the book cannot show is the great attention to detail Mrs. Thorne gave to the rooms off the main rooms and the outside scenery created for each room. However, the book does give an excellent idea of the nature of the rooms and the reason why they are so famous and loved.



4. If you've ever visited the Art Institute and wished that you could spend more time enjoying the Thorne Rooms, this book is a way for you to visit them as often as you would like.

   "Miniature Rooms" begins with a brief history of Mrs. Thorne and how the rooms came to be. The rest of the book is a complete catalog of the Rooms, divided into two sections - the European rooms and the American rooms. Every room is beautifully photographed from at least two angles, using the existing lighting in the rooms so that each has the same realistic quality enjoyed in the Institute. Along with each photograph is a description of the room and its furnishings. I would recommend "Miniature Rooms" to anyone who enjoys the Art of Miniatures.

1 comments about Michael Ray Charles, 1989-1997: An American Artist's Work.

1. I first came across Michael Ray Charles on a documentary about contemporary art (Art:21) and then again in a documentary series called Art City. Of all the artists -- many far better known than Charles -- he was, for me, the most notable. He was a young (30ish) black man, a family man living in a suburb, creating (inventing) these provocative and undeniably powerful and thought-provoking images that at once spoke to the history and horrors of racism in America, and reclaimed the power and moral sense. I purchased this "book" because I collect art books and because I so liked his art and his personality as it was conveyed in the documentaries. I never imagined when I ordered it, that I would be quite this pleased. The "book" is really two books, one a standard-sized catalogue featuring an illuminating interview and analysis of his work. Additionally, there is an oversized heavy-weight periodical (the actual catalogue featuring images) reminiscent of the old Interview magazine. Almost every page is essentially a small poster of one of Charles' works, and there are several cut-outs (dye-cuts), not to mention the inclusion of a Lincoln-head penny pasted on the back, which is a staple from his paintings. The "book" is a work of art unto itself, managing to be at once modern/contemporary and primitive (it actually comes in an oversized white jiffy bag, with an image on the front and sewn shut) and, in my estimation, is highly collectible -- not to mention just a ridiculous amount of fun. There is something to discover on every page (maybe every inch of every page). This might be the best art book I have ever purchased. If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. Michael Ray Charles is an important American artist. Very compelling.

1 comments about Miquel Barcelo: Works on Paper 1979-1999.

1. A top quality book regarding the works of this master of arts.
   I really consider it one of the best books if read regarding one single artist.

1 comments about Star Struck: One Thousand Years of the Art and Science of Astronomy.

1. The book is numerous reproductions of astronomical images, with reasonably informative captions, plus a text that briefly covers the high points. Illustrations are grouped by topic, so images of comets (for instance) are all together. The emphasis seems to be on historical images, rather than current ones. Some are arguably not astronomy, such as a series of images showing the days of creation through a Middle Ages mindset. Image reproduction quality is good, and the text is decent, though not brilliant. I'm mildly disappointed that the work of Chesley Bonestell in the mid-20th Century doesn't get featured.

No comments about Andy Warhol: The Record Covers 1949-1987, Catalogue Raisonne.

No comments about Boccioni's Materia: A Futurist Masterpiece and the Avant-garde in Milan and Paris.

No comments about A Brush with History : Paintings from the National Portrait Gallery.