1 comments about Song Dynasty Ceramics (Victoria & Albert Museum Far Eastern).

1. With its historical sweep of more than 4000 years, Chinese ceramics is one of the great achievements of world art. It was, after all, the Chinese, who invented porcelain, and that is why we speak of "china" generically today.
   
   In my judgment the wares of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) constitute the summit of this achievement. To be sure, they are something of an acquired taste, for their austerity lacks the immediate interest of the Ming blue-and-white and the spectacular show pieces of the Qing Dynasty. Still, in the splendid photographs of this book, one can attain a kind of secular mystical experience, which has no parallel that I know of.
   
   The text is good too, neither too long nor too short, not too technical, not too simple. Carefully, painlessly the author presents the information gleaned from recent research and excavation in the People's Republic. For anyone interested in Chinese ceramics this book is a must.

2 comments about The Sistine Chapel: A Glorious Restoration.

1. The huge project of the cleaning and restoration of the Sistine chapel has been completed for more than decade (of course it is continuous and ongoing). It was a huge project that aroused fiery controversy. Even though the ceiling had become almost completely obscured by centuries of smoke and repeated applications of varnish (early attempts to protect the treasured frescoes), some felt strongly that the restoration proposed would ruin the ceiling. In one way, it does make sense that the ceiling that generations had known was the work then on display. The yellowed color scheme and dark views were all that anyone living and the generations previous had known.
   
   This book does not document the ceiling as it was, but does provide wonderful detail of how the process of restoration was decided upon, what was done, what was learned during the process, and page after page of glorious pictures of the frescoes. The articles are by well qualified scholars and discuss quite interesting aspects of the works including the use of assistants by Michelangelo, his colors and their use, those poses and clothing of the characters, the chapel itself, and much more. There is even a foldout section to see the entire ceiling.
   
   This is a fascinating book for anyone interested in understanding the Sistine Chapel as it exists today. You can easily find pictures on the web contrasting how it used to look with how it looks today. To me, it seems obvious how wonderfully the restoration was done and how necessary it was. However, I can see how some would feel a sense of loss that what they had known for generations is now gone.



2. As a student with two jobs I do not have much time for art. Recently I have taken an interest in the classics. I was at a bookstore one day and this book caught my eye:

   The work of Michelangelo is wonderful. This book really brings to life this masters artwork in a way that is beautiful and breathtaking. The part I love most about this book is that before and after pictures are shown of Michelangelo's work (pre and post restoration). It really brings vibrant life and color to work that seems sometimes to be forgotten. Also lots of people think that Michelangelo was not very creative in his color usage, after seeing this book, you will truly see that he is a GENIUS. Even if you are not into art...this book will make you see art and especially Michelangelo in a different way. Get this book. You will not regret it.

1 comments about The Angel Tree: A Christmas Celebration.

1. Each time I visit the Met at Christmas and see this exqusite creche, I am in awe at the magnitude and splendor of detail. The book was fascinating. I appreciated the in-depth history of Neapolitan artists who meticulosly hand carved the individual figures with such fastidious, detailed execution..

No comments about Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

5 comments about The Wondrous Strange: The Wyeth Tradition.

1. N.C. Wyeth is the top of the heap when it comes to illustrators. A visit to his Brandywine museum reveals his work to be even more stunning in real life. There is not a good retrospective collection of his work--even in the Brandywine bookstore--and I was hoping this book would be one.
   
   I was sorely disappointed.
   
   Having Pyle in the book, and seeing the work of the student compared to his master is really great. It offers important insight into the development of N.C. as an artist.
   
   The inclusion of Andrew can't be too criticized, his work is fantastic. I have been a fan of his for a long time. However, as an illustrator, I was looking more for the other commercial illustrators who worked in the "Wyeth Tradition."
   
   I revile James's work. The fact that any pages of this book were wasted with his paintings made this book repugnant to me.
   
   So, for me, the book doesn't make sense.
   
   Pyle, to N.C., professional illustrators.
   
   N.C. to his son and grandson, we veer of that path. As an illustrator and one who worships at the feet of N.C. Wyeth, I wanted to stay on it. (The argument could be made, and probably has, that all are a descendant artistically of Pyle, and while there is some merit, sure, I say--for the most part--balderdash!!!)
   
   This is not a comprehensive N.C. Wyeth, nor illustrators of his time, book.
   
   BAH!



2. For many years it has been the practice of critics and art aficionados to relegate "popular artists" the likes of Norman Rockwell and the Wyeth clan to the bin of kitsch. Time heals and alters and distance is kind as the current resurgence of appreciation of these and other artists of the land testifies. Norman Rockwell now is considered an important American artist, sensitive to basic issues of what makes America the land of the common man's dream. With this beautifully designed and written tome the same adulation should follow for the Wyeth clan. The authors (Betsy Wyeth among them) had the good idea to show the seeds of the very familiar Wyeth imagery in the work of Howard Pyle, an artist known primarily as an illustrator along the lines of over the edge fantasy adventure books. His pupil N.C. Wyeth took up the torch, primarily emulating Pyle's style but taking it to a new level. His works of isolation, thwarted desire, and simple American traditions are absorbed by his son Andrew Wyeth who won favor among collectors of realist art during the time the country was running after Modernism, Expresionism, Abstraction. And finally Jaime Wyeth, son of Andrew, has been a constant presence with his quasi-surreal take on many of the same subjects as his progenitors. The circle comes round with Pyle and Jaime Wyeth embracing the more perverse subjects - an interesting century wheel turning round and round.

   The color reproductions are generous and well selected. Many of the well know Wyeth images are excluded, but in their place we are treated to images we have never seen. This is a beautiful volume and a tender one, a memento of what our childhood in the 20th Century was like before the madness currently painted hit.




3. The images floor me. If a picture is worth a thousand words.... then this collection speaks incalculable volumes.



4. For the non-art initiated, the book is a feast for the imagination as well as the eyes. I bought the book because I come from the mid-coast of Maine, like the Wyeths. But when I took the time to look at the book on a night we lost power due to a snow storm, I found the views conjured stories up in my mind to match the Wondrously Strange images. I've driven by the Wyeth Center a thousand times, but made a point to visit to see for my self. I'm also fortunate to have a copy signed by Jamie Wyeth, and hope to keep as a treasure for a long time.



5. We saw the exhibit in September and I bought the book as a reminder of the awe and joy I felt looking at the originals. The book lives up to the exhibit. A feast for the eyes, the book captures well the power and talent of Pyle and the Wyeths.

No comments about Catalog L.A.: Birth of an Art Capital 1955-1985.

5 comments about Icon: A Retrospective by the Grand Master of Fantastic Art.

1. The ilustrations in this book portray you to another book that perfectly capture the original paints.



2. When people think of fantasy artwork, they might think first of those Conan and Edgar Rice Burroughs paperback covers, or a berserker warrior on horseback, corpses of foes beneath him and dripping weapon above him. People think of Frazetta first, whether or not they know it's him they're thinking of. He's also done recognizable work for Mad magazine, Little Annie Fanny for Playboy, posters for Peter Sellers movies, and lots more.
   
   Frazetta has done plenty of work in ink, especially for a range of comics, but his oil paintings are best known and most heavily represented here. It's easy to see how he became the inspiration for an entire generation of fantasy artists, and probably well into a second generation, too. No one captures the rippling sinews of barbarian warriors like Frazetta does, or beasts, half-men, dungeons, jungles, and every other fantasy-scape that he's rendered. Above all, no one comes close to the lush, rounded figures of his female characters. They can be warriors and wizards in their own right, or eldritch spirits, or even savable maidens. Some, as in "Moon's Rapture" or the standing figure in "Rogue Roman", show a rich and womanly figure at rest, but somehow promising as much raw physical power as any man.
   
   I recommend this collection to anyone passionate about illustration or fantasy art. Any one of his paintings can be an entire course of study for a budding artist. They can also be seen as powerful narratives in imagery, or as a jumping-off point for dreams of far-away worlds and heroic adventures.
   
   -- wiredweird



3. I read Edgar Rice Burroughs novels as a teen and will never forget the impact of the Frazetta covers. His heros, the settings and the creatures were so wild and vivid; plus I think he definitely set my ideals of feminine beauty for life. This collection is a must for anyone who wants a good biography of F.F. along with some great reproductions of his best work.



4. Frazetta is great and this book is swell... however (as one other reviewer also experienced) the cover came off my book after I had it for only one week! I couldn't believe it! To credit of the publisher they did send me a replacement. I think I will buy the sequel now. Too bad it's only available in hardcover, but at least that way the cover is much less likely to fall off. As for the third book, it seems to be completely unavailable except to those who are willing to pay over a hundred dollars for it!



5. Words cannot describe the beauty and passion in Frazetta's work; This book is filled with amazing art, from the original sketches to the final product; Lots of personal photographs and insightful narratives help to make this a satisfying package, but the artwork alone makes this book a must have. From his early career doing comic books and movie posters, to the grand scale of his fantasy art, this is a book that is sure to excite any and all who have a shred of creativity within them. Totally inspiring book!!!

2 comments about Fired by Ideals: Arequipa Pottery and the Arts and Crafts Movement.

1. Collaboratively presented by Suzanne Raizerman (Imogene Gieling Curator of Crafts and Decorative Arts, Oakland Museum, California), Lynn Downey (History, Levi Strauss and Company); and John Taki (California College of Arts and Crafts and President, Leslie Ceramic Supply Company, Berkeley, California) Fired By Ideals: Arequipa Pottery And The Arts & Crafts Movement is a truly impressive, 136 page artbook showcasing a unique selection of historical ceramic pottery sculpture. In 1911, after the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco triggered a tuberculosis epidemic, a special treatment center called the Arequipa Sanatorium was founded for working women afflicted by the disease. Pottery became daily practice, both as an outlet for creativity/healing and to create marketable wares. The most amazing samples of this fine pottery are displayed in full color in Fired By Ideals, along with descriptive captions and a narrated history of the Sanatorium that created them. A fascinating catalogue filled with thoughtful and meaningful wares, Fired By Ideals is a unique and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library arts and crafts reference collections.



2. Fired By Design surveys Arequipa pottery and the Arts and Crafts movement, using vintage photos and color reproductions to display the works generated by a tuberculosis sanatarium in rural Marin County in 1906. Dr. Brown was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement sought to provide his female patients not just with rest, but with creative art pursuits: pottery was his choice and Fired By Design displays the wealth produced by his patients.

3 comments about Tapestry in the Renaissance: Art and Magnificence (Metropolitan Museum of Art Series).

1. Having marveled at the tapestry I purchased from Simply Tapestries, I went to the Museum of Modern Art to see their recent exhibit of Flemish tapestries. This book can almost act as a companion of this exhibit. I am amazed at the quality and quantity of the full color artwork. This book is a must for anyone who has purchased or intends to purchase a tapestry. The authors are obvious experts in their field. A wonderful art book of the highest quality. I learned so much about the history of these wonderful pieces of art.



2. I had no idea how important a medium tapestry was prior to stumbling on the Met exhibition during a recent visit to NYC and then reading this book. I was amazed to learn the amount of money spent to produce (and purchase!) them, and how important the industry was to the economy of the time . Anyone who thinks of tapestries as beige, boring and historically insignificant is in for a surprise.

   As for this book itself, the photography is stunning and lavish. Each time you look at one of these magnificent works you see something new--it's hard to believe that these are woven objects, the detail and color is so vivid...no wonder the NY Times listed it as a holiday gift buy. (I think they rated the accompanying exhibition one of the year's best too)




3. This collection depicting the tapestry exhibit recently held at the NY Met Museum is an indisputable gem. Entries are consise and thorough. Photographs are well done, some a bit too grey, but overall usable to all textile artists.
   Well worth the price and a steal at Amazon's price.

2 comments about Zelda: An Illustrated Life: The Private World of Zelda Fitzgerald.

1. Zelda Fitzgerald is perhaps one of the most interesting wives of a famous historical figure in history. Not only was Zelda a highly energetic, flirtatious woman, she was a ballerina, a writer, and an artist. Her art is perhaps the least known piece of her work and is presented here excellently.
   
   Zelda's art is reflective of various styles, as the text acknowledges. Her undated work is hard to place because of this. Her work is reminiscent of Pablo Picasso, Georgia O'Keefe, and Miro in unison. It is also reflective of her life; Zelda painted gruesome dancers and mothers with children, and glorious cityscapes and flowers as well as strangely formed paper dolls and scenes from the Bible, fairy tales, and Alice and Wonderland.
   
   It is too bad that much of Zelda's work does not survive due to being misplaced or destroyed both by Zelda and her family.
   
   The writing analyzes Zelda's artwork quite well. There is text between the presentation of paintings, which seems awkward and yet well placed because the ending presents the painting that follow. The biography is objective and yet warm and biased as well as it was written by Zelda's grandchild.
   
   Overall, this is a well made book that Zelda Fitzgerald fans must read.



2. This is a relatively new yet hard to find book, but once you've got it I promise it will hold a prestigious place on your bookshelf. The book is filled with high quality photos of every known piece of Zelda's artwork and sketches, plus a mini-bio of Zelda complete with pictures and words from Eleanor Lanahan, Zelda's granddaughter. For those who are interested in art, Zelda Fitzgerald's pieces are enthralling, bewitching and at some extreme viewpoints even repulsive, especially her depictions of ballerinas and of a mother nursing her child. Her work mostly deals in fairytales and religion, as well as various "slices of life" in between. For everyone who is interested in Zelda's life, this is a can't-miss piece to her puzzle that you must find and enjoy.