Explore the captivating realm of Pierre Bonnard, where his unique approach to color and composition breathes life into intimate scenes. This book delves into the inspirations that shaped his artistic vision, revealing the emotional depth and spatial dynamics of his works. Through insightful analysis, readers will gain a deeper appreciation for Bonnard's innovative techniques and the personal experiences that influenced his captivating paintings.
Though largely out of the public eye for more than a century, Gustave Caillebotte (1848–94) has come to be recognized as one of the most dynamic and original artists of the impressionist movement in Paris. His paintings are favorites of museum-goers, and recent restoration of his work has revealed more color, texture, and detail than was visible before while heightening interest in all of Caillebotte’s artwork. This lush companion volume to the National Gallery of Art’s major new exhibition, coorganized with the Kimbell Art Museum, explores the power and technical brilliance of his oeuvre. The book features fifty of Caillebotte’s strongest paintings, including post-conservation images of Paris Street; Rainy Day, along with The Floorscrapers and Pont de l’Europe, all of which date from a particularly fertile period between 1875 and 1882. The artist was criticized at the time for being too realistic and not impressionistic enough, but he was a pioneer in adopting the angled perspective of a modern camera to compose his scenes. Caillebotte’s skill and originality are evident even in the book’s reproductions, and the essays offer critical insights into his inspiration and subjects. This sumptuously illustrated publication makes clear why Caillebotte is among the most intriguing artists of nineteenth-century France, and it deepens our understanding of the history of impressionism.
Captures the art of still life painting with reproductions of masterworks by such Impressionist artists as Van Gogh, Renoir, Cezanne, Gaughin, Monet, and Manet.
Just a month before his suicide in 1890, Vincent van Gogh expressed to his sister that portraiture was his greatest passion, even more than his other artistic endeavors. His brief yet intense career revolutionized portrait painting, significantly shaping its direction in the twentieth century. This publication accompanies a major touring exhibition, showcasing for the first time van Gogh's significant portraits from various stages of his life, alongside reproductions of many of his key works. The result is an insightful exploration of his artistic evolution, highlighting how he expanded the boundaries of portraiture, culminating in the masterpieces of his final years. Six original essays by prominent art historians delve into crucial aspects of van Gogh's portraits throughout his career. George Keyes contextualizes the paintings within Dutch art, noting the influence of masters like Rembrandt. Lauren Soth examines the early, stark drawings from The Hague. George Shackelford discusses the Parisian works reflecting Impressionist influences. In Arles, van Gogh's productivity peaked, producing powerful portraits of locals and himself, analyzed by Roland Dorn. Judy Sund focuses on portraits created during his mental struggles in the asylum, including the iconic Dr. Gachet and final self-portraits. Joseph Rishel concludes with the impact of van Gogh's work on his contemporaries and later artists. The essays are complemented by a d