Art Lovers discussion

These are just a few suggestions; Remember, if you choose to read a book in this category (and it can be any impressionist book) please put your name and the name of the book under 'comment'. You may even let us know your progress and what you are learning. When you finish the book, we look forward to your review!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34...

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11...

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39...

Jim

IMPRESSIONIST QUARTET;the intimate genius of Manet and Morisot, Degas and Manet by Jeffrey Meyers

Leslie

Monet: The Ultimate Impressionist by Sylvie Patin

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11...

This looks like a good choice, Leslie. It got good reviews, I had to add it to my 'to-read' list. It's a fairly short read so I might just pick it up and browse through it next time I'm at the library. Of course, if I decide to add it to my own library, Barnes&Noble here I come!

Hi Jim,
I thought the The Impressionist Quartet looked really good online. What do you think about it so far? Do you like Meyers' writing? divvy

Hi Divvy
I just finished the book today and gave it 3 stars

It does tell You a lot about the lives of the artists although there is a lot more attention paid to Manet and Degas versus Morisot/Cassatt
it also does a good job of discussing their paintings with 2 major problems in my opinion
1 -the paintings discussed that are in the book are not in color
2 -there are not very many included that are discussed
so if You do decide to read it get a companion book that has the 4 artists paintings in them

I learned a lot but I don't think I knew that much to begin with about any of these painters even though I have been a great fan of Degas's work ever since I saw his paintings, sculptures

Hello -- I am new to this group -- and, in fact, know very little about this topic. But my two books for the month are:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...

and

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55...

The second is very interesting. The first, which I just began, looked like a handbook, but is proving to be much more.

Hi AC,

Meyer Shapiro is well respected. Good choice.

MMc

message 6:
It's frustrating not to have illustrations but in the case of paintings the internet can rectify this.

I am not sure if Pool's book on the Impressionists would have the same value for someone who knew a lot about the topic -- but I suspect that it would be of interest. The author has a very sure and confident voice..., and is not cheerleading her topic -- she understands the strengths and weaknesses of the movement... admires it, but is not blinded by it -- and seems also to have a wonderful eye for the telling detail or anecdote. In other words, it is written with intelligence. I'm only about 1/3 done with it -- various things have kept me from reading much this past week -- but I'm finding this book to be illuminating. Among other things, it's such a pleasant change from the awful material that I generally need to immerse myself in -- history, markets, political strife -- the tornados and earthquakes of our contemporary life -- the sturm und drang -- that it's just awfully refreshing to simply sit and read and contemplate these wonderful pictures --. I am also starting to understand the points of view -- both of the artists, and of those who are writing about them. If anyone can recommend any good books especially on technique, I'd be very grateful. I cannot draw, and have no intention of trying - but think my eye is not too bad.

I am almost finished with this book and it has been very satisfying. Though somewhat sketchy -- Pool doesn't try to cover the topic exhaustively -- she appears to be so familiar with the material, and to have a deep and sober assessment of it, that her selections are illuminating. I have learned a great deal from this book and, with the caveat that this is not a field I know much about, would recommend this book highly. It is short and can be read quickly, and the reproductions -- many in color -- are quite sufficient.

Once I do actually finish it, tonight or tomorrow, I'll go back and finish Schapiro's book on Cezanne.

Thank you for the review, AC. I am looking forward to checking that book out myself. You really have read that rather quickly! And to know that although it is a field that you are less familiar with and that you learned a great deal, encourages me more to read the book.

I like Monet, Matisse, Mary Cassatt, they all are very talented painters and they all were fascinating people as well.