No comments about Art Management: Entrepreneurial Style.

4 comments about Vermeer and the Delft School (Metropolitan Museum of Art Series).

1. This may not be the book with which to start a Vermeer trek. But it is one to savor mid-way on the journey. And it's a fitting coda for the many books on Vermeer published since the wonderful Washington/The Hague exhibition in 1995-1996. Walter Liedtke comprensivley and colorfully provides context for Vermeer's style, technique, and themes. For all his erudition, however, Liedtke doesn't explain Vermeer's genius, which is sui generis. The combination of painterly skill, scientific observation, poetic insight, and musical/theatrical nuance all seem perfectly coordinated in this Delft Master. That Vermeer made rather extensive use of the camera obscura to inform his work is without doubt (see Philip Steadman's Vermeer's Camera), although Liedtke continues even now to insist he did not. Nonetheless, as Liedtke exhaustively details, Vermeer could not have been Vermeer without the cultural milieu in and around The Netherlands in the seventeenth century.
   
   The quality of the hundreds of illustrations included in the book, especially those which reproduce Vermeer's paintings, is extraodinary; the cover reproduction of Vermeer's Art of Painting is alone worth the price of the volume. Note particularly the pairing of The Girl with a Pearl Earring and the Study of a Young Woman (making a good case for pendant status), as well as perhaps the best reproduction ever of The Girl with a Red Hat (although it is somewhat over-sized).
   
   Liedkte also generously provides a trove of bibliographical citations, more than enough to keep scholars busily productive well into the next generation. No serious study of Vermeer can proceed without reference to this book. Yet, it is a good read for anyone with a reasonably sophisticated knowledge of European history of that era, and will reward amatuer art historians of the Baroque period with its pinball-like associations.
   
   Lovers of Vermeer will make this book a centerpiece in their library, returning to it again and again for information, clarification, and, most of all, aesthetic pleasure. Liedtke's opus is the next best thing to visiting the several handfuls of museums in the USA and Europe that hold Vermeer's 36 known works.



2. Bravo to Walter Liedtke for his sense of humor, see below. The fact that 17 out of 24 did not understand his subtle comments on himself, he did write most of the book, is testimony as to lack of discernment of those who read these reviews. I have heard his lecture on the exhibition and all he says is absolutely true. Actually, his comments on himself are rather modest.



3. Words cannot describe the impact this weighty volume has had on me. From the moment I held it in my trembling hands, I was hooked. The rich, carefully crafted prose is a delight to the eye and the imagination. Its author is undoubtedly a man of breath-taking vision who has reconstructed the 17th-century past with unique skills of research and analysis. His character shines through in every page and the reader cannot help but conjure up in his or her mind a dazzling image of a dark tall handsome curator with beautifully slick and greased black hair, a whiff of moustache, and sparkling gold-rimmed glasses. Every inch a man of learning. I could go on - and I will.



4. This is a catalogue published in conjunction with the exhibition "Vermeer and the Delft School" held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, from March 8 to May 27, 2001 and The National Gallery, London, from June 20 to September 16, 2001. It is written by Walter Liedtke, Curator in the Department of European Paintings at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York with contributions from eight other art curators and historians. This is a hefty book reflecting this monumental ehibition which includes 15 of the 35 known works attributed to Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) who spent his entire life in Delft. Other prominent 17th Century artists include Pieter de Hooch, Gerard Houckgeest and one of my favorites, Carel Fabritius, who was killed in a munitions explosion in 1654 at the age of 32. The catalogue is 640 pages containing 526 illustrations with 225 colorplates. The quality of the colorplates is good. The history of Delft and the development of "The Delft School" is thoroughly researched. In addition to the artists mentioned there are many beautiful paintings by artists who are relatively unknown. This is a catalogue where the interested reader will spend the rest of his life perusing. There is much to be mined here. The exhibition is worth a journey.

3 comments about Breaking into Graphic Design: Tips from the Pros on Finding the Right Position for You.

1. The author's writing style is very funny. I liked his "thriller" chapter when he started interviewing for jobs after gathering all the info for this book! He had me hanging on every word.. asking "Well, did you get the job? What happened?". What an ingenious way to get a head start on what to do and help everyone else while you're at it!
   That's what Rudi Giuliani did when he decided to run for mayor of NY, he created a "Mayor's School" and learned everything he needed to know by inviting former successful mayors to instruct at his school where he was #1 student.
   
   The reason for only 4 stars? Well, the Websites that were recommended to post on for jobs costs $75 per year for an individual to join, or you can't view the job listings or post your portfolio & resume. That wasn't mentioned in the book. Most people just out of school and unemployed don't have $75 to spend just to view a job listing. And there was no postings for Orlando, FL which is a fairly large city for Graphics. Very disappointing for such a "highly traveled" avenue for Graphics per the interviewees. Another Website highly recommended out of 4 was not much to look at. Some winners of a competition, the work was nice.. but is this all there is to the Website? I didn't check the other two after being disappointed in the first two.
   
   Viewing the portfolios was free though, and there is some absolutely WONDERFUL talent on the portfolios page!! I was truly blown away. If for no other reason, visit [...] just to look at the awesome design and art!!



2. As a graphic design student about to graduate into the real world, I've been at the verge of a nervous breakdown trying to figure out what I'm going to need to do to get a good job. This book gave me so many answers that my design classes didn't provide. Part of Jefferson's book gives information and advice such as how a designer should approach a cover letter, a comprehensive list of websites where design jobs can be found, and exactly what needs to be sent in an application package.
   A large bulk of the book is dedicated to interviews with designers and people who hire designers. They were asked specific questions about what gets an applicant an interview, what they look for in an applicant's samples, etc. After reading this, I feel much more prepared to go out and start finding the job I want.



3. Before this was released I bought some other books about design employment and they were useless. I'm so glad I was able to get a copy of "Breaking into Graphic Design". The book explains very clearly the steps that designers should take to find all kinds of work. This book helped me find a job and I'm sure it will do the same for many others. If you have any interest in design as a career, you should get a copy.

5 comments about The Bayeux Tapestry.

1. we were in Bayeux in January, 2008, to see the tapestry and had looked for a book for a souvenir. we waited to get back to the states and this was perfect. it has beautiful pictures and lots of information about the source of the tapestry. we were very pleased.



2. The stitching is easy to see, the colors look good, the book looks good on a shelf (although it is a tall book because of the large pictures); it is all around everything the needleworker needs in a reference at an amazingly good price. With large color photos of the entire tapestry it is possible to recreate any part of it. The tapestry is also an interesting historical record of the time period from hairstyle, costume, and eating to warfare and death (note the dismembered body parts). I especially like the depiction of Haley's comet.



3. The Bayeaux Tapestry is a gorgeous work of art that has great historical importance. This book does it full justice. The first section is simply the tapestry itself, with a pullout section of brief explanations of each scene. This allows you to look at the work itself and appreciate its beauty and craftsmanship and to form your own opinions and interpretations. (By the way, the photographs are so good you think you can reach into the page and feel the stitching.)
   
   Following this are translations of the Latin inscriptions, further explanations of the story and explorations of the artistic and historic significance of the tapestry. The author's language gets a bit technical in the latter sections, but with the help of a basic dictionary are easy to understand. Even without looking up the scholarly words, one can appreciate what the author is saying.
   
   I highly recommend this book. More than worth the price.



4. Perhaps the most famous tapestry of the western world, the 1000 year old, 230 feet long, Bayeux Tapestry is housed in a museum in Bayeux, Normandy. Embroidered in brightly colored wools, the Bayeux Tapestry portrays the complete story of the invasion of England by William of Normandy which was hallmarked by the Norman victory over the Anglo-Saxon English under King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Now in a new edition, the complete tapestry is reproduced in full color over 146 pages. Captions on a fold-out page allow for easy reference, while a second black & white reproduction offers detailed accompanying commentary. Perfect as a Memorial Fund Acquisition selection, no college or community library collection can be considered complete without the inclusion of David M. Wilson's The Bayeux Tapestry from Thames & Hudson.



5. This is indeed a faithful reprint of Wilson's superb 1985 survey of the Bayeux Tapestry. (The previous reviewer mistook his numbers. The original book was 13.6 inches, reproducing the tapestry at about 55% scale. 13.6 inches IS 34 centimeters. Double that would be over 27 inches, larger than the actual tapestry.)

   The original book was prohibitively expensive even when new, and has sold used for astronomical sums. We are fortunate indeed that Thames & Hudson has decided to reissue the book, with superb, large plates, at such a reasonable price. A few glitzy touches have been sacrificed, such as the slipcase, gold-embossed cover and decorative endpapers. But the book itself is as good as ever.

   The first section shows the entire tapestry in vivid color and crisp detail, fine enough to see the individual stitches, at more than half-scale. Smaller, black-and-white images accompany a detailed description of the people and events depicted. A full translation of all the latin texts is included. So, too, are excellent essays on the history behind the tapestry, and the history and artistic context of the tapestry itself.

   Simply put, this is THE definitive book on a major piece of history. Highly recommended.

3 comments about Surrealism: Desire Unbound.

1. This book gives you an idea of how incestuous the Surrealist movement was. It gives an insight into what went on in the artistic circles of the era. It is thoughtful and extraordinarily interesting. The various authors and their different viewpoints help to show the complexity of the movement and the artists without being too much in awe of artists like Man Ray or Hans Bellmer. It is also a beautiful book with a pretty pink and gold embossed cover (under the dust jacket). Full of stunning reproductions and personal photographs. Excellent read and aesthically pleasing.



2. Supremely thorough and wonderful. A winner. Beautiful, a spectacular book. It's what I want for xmas! lol



3. I find this book to be historically acurate, informative, and most comprehensive. In my humble opinion, a great study of one of the most thought provoking, imaginative, and subjective styles of art of all of our existence.

4 comments about Style & Splendor: The Wardrobe of Queen Maud of Norway 1896-1938.

1. Great book!! another Bible for me for great design and detail for young designers .



2. Beautiful book. Beautiful images. I wanted MORE images but that's just me.
   Cool to see some other designers works besides the greats like Dior and Balenciaga. There are a few outfits that really take my breath away. If it had more images I would have given it 5 stars! but it really is a 5 star book for most people.



3. This book is excellent for costuming ideas. It has large, sharp pictures that show the details on the dresses beautifully.



4. All of the books on historical fashion published by the Victoria & Albert Museum are beautiful, and this is no exception. I saw this exhibition while I was in London this summer and I was pleasantly surprised at liking the book because I always assumed that publications wouldn't be able to measure up to seeing the garments in person. Instead I found that the book gives me a chance to appreciate each beautiful garment at my leisure, and read the history about Queen Maud (which gives a context and feeling of `realness' to the clothing). The book features Edwardian coronation gowns (literally, Maud wore one for the coronation of Edward VII, her father), sportswear (riding gowns etc.), and dresses and suits through the late 30's all beautifully photographed and described.

5 comments about Andrew Wyeth: Autobiography.

1. I discovered this book at my sister's home after I bought a print while visiting. The comments accompanying each print in the book provide an intimate look at Wyeth's life and art. It added a new dimension to my fondness for his work. I'd highly recommend this book to any admirer of Andrew Wyeth.



2. This isn't a linear autobiography, in the usual sense. Instead, it presents selections from Wyeth's entire life as a painter, from his mid-teens to his late seventies, when this book was published. Wyeth's own notes on each piece make it an autobiography.
   
   This says less about the artist than about his artwork, which speaks for itself. His subdued palette captures the people and places of his life. Places include farms, barn or farmhouse interiors, Maine shorelines, and other open spaces that are increasingly hard to find. Wyeth's people include his wife Betsy, his sister, and neighbors. Grittier than Norman Rickwell but no less affetionate, he presents them at work, at hard-earned rest, or simply at a quiet moment. A few nudes of teenaged Siri, including the remarkable "The Virgin," capture the gawky grace of emerging womanhood. Two images really stood out for me, though, images I would never have associated with Wyeth. "Spring" and "Christmas morning" carry a surreal sense, somehow even closer the the supernatural for their entirely realistic rendering. "Spring," especially, offers an amiguous sense of hope using the starkest and bleakest of visual language.
   
   As Wyeth narrates each painting, a sentence to a paragraph for each, parts of his life emerge: friendships, successes, and losses. Without being mysterious, the text comes across as spotty and selective, omitting far more than it presents. If you want a standard kind of biography, you'll have to look elsewhere. Instead, this book is closer to the occasional cup of coffee with the artist, shared over weeks or months, in which different moments of his life arise almost at random. His words add an intimacy to the art that's hard to express, but that is worth experiencing - as is the art itself.
   
   -- wiredweird



3. I purchased this item as a gift for an artist friend, she was very happy with the quality of the reproductions in this book.



4. I didn't know a lot about Andrew Wyeths work before reading this book. I had seen the paintings and I liked them a lot, but I didn't know that much about them.
   
   The book is labeled as an autobiography, but its form is not what many might expect. This is not a book consisting of prose with the occasional picture, it is a book that mainly shows Wyeths paintings with a paragraph or two about the paintings below. Written by Wyeth. For some this may not be what they are looking for, but I liked this very much.
   
   It is a very good introduction to Wyeth's paintings and the subject matter he painted. The people, the places and their history. There isn't a lot of information about Wyeth himself in the book. At least not in the sense one would expect from a traditional biopgraphy. But after reading it I feel I know a lot more about both Wyeth and his paintings than a typical art-history or biographical text would give me.
   
   I'd be happy to recommend this book.



5. My teacher introduced me to Andrew Wyeth's paintings and drawings about a year or two ago. I've been in love with his work ever since. It's just how beautiful his linework is and how he brings life to the paintings. That is so incredibly rare. There are plenty of portrait artists out there, but I can't think of one that impresses me as much as he does. I think this is because of how well he knew his subjects.
   
   He said drawing with pencil helped him get to the core of a thing. If you've ever drawn or painted people and animals from life, as he did, it increases the appreciation for his work one hundred fold. I also think that this is why his paintings and sketches are so full of life - you just don't get that from a photo, there is NO comparison. His landscapes blow me away every time, and I'm not really a fan of landscape paintings. Something about the solitude of it all just takes me in.
   
   My favourite is Night Sleeper, which is on the cover. His palette is just beautiful, i don't really think it's muted or drab - the closer you look, the more colours you see. How he played colours in juxtaposition, so that they glow, is another part that gives his work such intensity and life.
   
   The comments beside all the work are, as people have mentioned, very good. The entire book is one of those slow joy books. It's just nice to sit with it and turn the pages slowly and take in every thing.

1 comments about Hundertwasser (Temporis Collection).

1. This was my first Hundertwasser book. I love this book because it is a great starting point for anyone who is interested in his work and his rationale. It's a great entry point for anyone who would like to explore the theory behind the painter's work without getting too heavy. It's got lots of his beautiful images and unlike a lot of other books about Hundertwasser it covers his paintings, stamps, flags, clothing and shoes as well as some of his buildings. Usually books on his work concentrate on one area of his work or theory, this one overviews the lot.

3 comments about Dali & I: The Surreal Story.

1. I seldom spend time writing reviews of bad books, but this one is just shoddy. The author can't write and apparently has no morals or ethics either. It is full of sleazy characters and improbable situations. I wanted to wash my hands after reading this. Does the author not feel badly about all the average people who got taken and lost a lot of money with mass-produced artwork? Apparently not.



2. This book is very interesting. It gave me the new insight in Dali's life and paintings. I hope to see the film soon.



3. I read this book in one day. fascinating. shocking.
   but what is real? what is fake? what is imagined?
   so it seems that a film will be made from this book with Al Pacino playing the role of Salvador Dali. I can't wait to see it.

3 comments about National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City.

1. The images are beautiful but the book itself its falling apart. I have many books of the same size and I have not had a book that will lose it's pages while being handled. Amazon already replace this book once (great service!) but the new book shows the same problem. Maybe a bad bach? The problem is that this book its a must have. This book deserves a five star review but because the bad quality of the binding I can only give it one star.



2. This is a comprehensive, visually stunning catalogue of items from the collection of the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City. Not only is the museum a must see, but the catalogue is an excellent resource for those interested in this field. Highly recommended.



3. This is a wonderful book on one of the great Anthropological Museums. The history of ancient Mexico is so mysterious and facinating. One civilization is as amazing as the next. This book does a wonderful job of capturing what makes this museum so special. The photographs are vivid and the text highly informative. The only thing missing is Montesuma's spectacular headdress made of Quitzal feathers, alas it is in Vienna, maybe one day it will return, but somehow I don't think the Austrians have forgotten what happened to Maximillian. If you have any interest in anthropology, Ancient Mexican civilizations or just quite frankly great art, then you will not be disappointed in this book. Great book on a most deserving subject.