1 comments about The Art of Joan Brown (Ahmanson-Murphy Fine Arts Book).

1. Lots of people copy Joan Brown, maybe not intentionally, but it happens. Unfortunately she died in a freak accident installing one of her works of art so we don't get to see her next creative incarnation. Her life was exciting and interesting and she embodied what is a true artist. Driven and consumed with creative genius. Read this book, and see what it means (and takes!) to be an artist. Then try and see her works of art in person. I'm thinking the SF Museum of Modern Art SHOULD have her stuff as well as MOMA in NYC. Even if her works aren't there...someone she admired will be. A must read for every young artist.

5 comments about Nicholas and Alexandra.

1. For those who love reading about the Romanov's, Nicholas and Alexandra: The Last Imperial Family of Tsarist Russia is one of the most beautiful and thrilling books available. This book was originally compiled as the exhibition catalog for the prestigious Nicholas and Alexandra Exhibit put on by the Broughton Company in Wilmington, Delaware. This 408 page tabletop book, is filled with incredible photos (most in color) of the close to 700 imperial items that were on display from the State Hermitage Museum and the State Archive of the Russian Federation.
   
   Nicholas and Alexandra contains fabulous paintings, letters, gowns, diaries, photos, icons, Faberge' eggs, frames, jewelry, dishes, sculptures, flags, uniforms, military decorations, weapons, porcelain, toys, and gifts given to the royal family. It also includes a reproduction of Nicholas' library in the Winter Palace, as well as Tsarina Alexandra's grand piano, the throne from the Winter Palace and the coronation carriage originally designed for Empress Catherine II . The paintings of the royal wedding and Nicholas' coronation are especially impressive, while photos of items from their murder will leave you with a lump in your throat.
   
   While this book is short on giving any kind of in-depth history about the Romanov family, it goes a long way in showing just how they lived. It's amazing to look at the dresses and uniforms and to realize that for positions larger than life, the Tsar and Tsarina were actually very small people. Nicholas was a rather short man at approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall. More than anything, you get a glimpse of the tragedy of their fates and the things they gave up because of Nicholas' misguided leadership. No wonder this story still haunts us--even after 87 years.



2. First time I saw this book, I wasn't very interested. But I bought it anyway because it was on sale, and I like to have everything Romanov. But as it turned out, it grew on me like a fungus. Now it is one of my treasures, I look through it often, it is so full of pictures of artifacts you won't see in any other Romanov book and it thus gives color to a world that is otherwise in black and white. Pictures of the members of the extended family were also fascinating and also got me interested in them, though NAOTMAA are still my favorites. What a pity I didn't get to see the exhibition, but this book is I think as close as you'll ever get to the real thing, unless you get the chance to see the palaces.



3. This book was a wonderful glimps into a time and place that no longer exist. Full of personal photos, notes to each other, and other momentos of the Last imperial family with translations of the words of the notes, and plenty of full color plates.

   Opening this book was almost like stepping into a museum dedicated to the last tsar of Russia and his family. Another great addition to any personal library.




4. If you know nothing of Nicholas and Alexandra, this is not the book to buy. However, if the Romanovs already captivate you, you will be captivated by this book. The work catalogs many of the imperial family's possessions. The color photographs are stunning; I was particularly moved by the photo of the tsarevich's teddy bear. Such an intimate glimpse makes these people all too "real" (and, hence, their merciless slaughter all the more appalling). The book features the Romonov's ornate palaces, family and studio photographs, clothing, and much more. For the price, one cannot find a better photographic chronicle of the last Romanovs.



5. ...this thing is FULL of photographs...OTMA's childhood drawings, court gowns, letters, diaries...a wonderful opportunity to get 'close' to the Romanovs and the tumultuous times in which they lived and died.

No comments about Declaring Space: Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman, Lucio Fontana, Yves Klein.

No comments about New Look to Now: French Haute Couture.

1 comments about History of Girly Magazines (Klotz).

1. Erotica historian Dian Hanson, author of the monumental 6-volume _The History of Men's Magazines_ (also published by Taschen), has produced what amounts to a one-volume summary of that gigantic work in this new book. Even in its "digest" size format, it's still a big chunk of work at nearly 700 pages and several thousand illustrations. It's thoroughly researched and the pictures and accompanying text are first-rate; Hanson, the former editor of one of the leading fetish magazines (Leg Show), plainly knows and loves her topic.
   
   There are two problems, though, which prevent me from giving this book 5 stars, much as I'd like to. The first is the relatively small size of the pages, smaller in fact than a standard hardcover novel; this means many of the pictures have to be reduced in size to fit the pages, which hurts the detail. For a topic as dependent on illustrations as this, you really need the book to have at least letter-size (8 1/2 x 11 inches) or A4 (international letter-size) pages.
   
   The second is that, despite being billed as a review of the girlie magazine from 1900 to 1969, over half the pages are given over to the 1950-1969 period. Admittedly, there is a huge wealth of material from those decades, but I should still have liked to see more material from, for example "La Vie Parisienne", which was the most famous French men's magazine of the late 19th and early 20th century.
   
   The above criticisms notwithstanding, this book is most definitely a must-have for any serious classic-pinup collector, especially those collectors who haven't been fortunate enough to get their hands on Hanson's huge _History of Men's Magazines_ series. Add this to _The Best of American Girlie Magazines_ and _1000 Pinups_, also from the same publisher.

1 comments about Dogs in the Louvre.

1. Not a big volume, but beautifully produced in solid hardcover with full colour reproductions of the artwork being examined and often detail photos too. This volume looks at a cross section of the art in the famous Louvre to feature dogs. The text is informative and the selection of artwork is interesting and enchanting.
   As a previous author of a historical review of a breed I found the content basically fulfilling, although I just wonder at the rationale in crediting some breeds to some artwork, but that is always a subjective task - I smiled while writing this as it is a bit like judges making the awards in the show ring.
   However, for the breed historian, you could find something of particular interest in the pages of this 197 x 197 mm book, undoubtedly red setter lovers, and European gundog breed enthusiasts will, as will many toy breed devotees.
   As a lover of fine art this book was also a pleasure to investigate.
   It is an excellent gift or seek it out for yourself, the shelf price on this book is also very attractive!

No comments about 120 Great Paintings of the American West Platinum DVD and Book.

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.

2 comments about Art for the People: The Rediscovery and Preservation of Progressive and WPA-Era Murals in the Chicago Public Schools, 1904-1943.

1. Book was basically in new condition and was received very soon after ordering. Book provided great info for my research.



2. This is a wonderful book, and the story behind it is even more wonderful. The period of time covered in this book were the glory days for the muralist movement. And huge numbers were painted in the Chicago Public Schools. Over the years, they were neglected; they were covered over; they decayed.
   
   In 1984, Flora Doody went to Lane Tech High School to start a Resource Program for students with disabilities. She saw and loved the murals there, but knew that, with all the other problems in the school, restoration was not a priority. Ten years later, however, she began the Mural Preservation Project at the school. She knew the director of the Chicago Conservation Center and they became involved.
   
   And then they decided to investigate early 20th century murals in other Chicago public schools. They found treasures.
   
   A fascinating book, you will learn the history of murals, American social history, and the story of some very dedicated preservationists and educators.

No comments about Saints and Sinners: Caravaggio and the Baroque Image.