Art Lovers discussion

Well...I hope we can start this once again!

Please post up to three book suggestions on which we can vote for the October book read.
Only post these recommendations if you do plan on participating and really reading the chosen book. Commenting is always welcome, but optional.

I look forward to your input everyone! Let's get reading!!!

I've been wanting to read The Daily Practice of Painting: Writings 1962-1993 by Gerhard Richter.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/79...

What about Clement Greenberg's 'art and culture':

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

Kristen wrote: "I've been wanting to read The Daily Practice of Painting: Writings 1962-1993 by Gerhard Richter.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/79..."

Kristen this looks like a good book but on amazon the cheapest one is $55!!!!

Cynthia wrote: "Kristen wrote: "I've been wanting to read The Daily Practice of Painting: Writings 1962-1993 by Gerhard Richter.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/79..."

Kriste..."

ooo. now i remember why it was on my "wishlist". haha! alright nix that one. :P

Cynthia wrote: "What about Clement Greenberg's 'art and culture':

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos..."

I'd be interested in reading Greenber.

Great Kristen. He's very good and had a long art criticism career. He was esp dialed into the NY art scene.

It's a nice idea Heather! I'm guessing the books must connect to art? I have this in my bookshelf.

Leonardo's Notebooks by Leonardo da Vinci

Good one, Amalie. I have that one 'to read' also. Maybe we will get the chance to explore that one! I will add it to the list to choose from for our October read. Thank you for the suggestion!

Many people have recommended this book to me -- Rembrandt's Eyes by Simon Schama
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40...

Why October? Why not September?

I didn't know how much time people would need to get back into the 'year' yet. School starting, finishing vacations, etc. Also, I want to give enough time for us to suggest new books, vote and get our hands on them ahead of time. I've had a few people saying they need a little more time to locate, order, borrow, find, buy, the chosen book. But when we do choose one, whoever wants to participate then can 'dig in'!

Great recommendation, Carol. I am definitely interested!

The Lost Painting by Jonathan Harr

Leaving Van Gogh: A Novel by Carol Wallace

The Painted Kiss by Elizabeth Hickey

Just three wild guesses. I'm somewhat new to this group, so I'm not sure what's been read already and what hasn't. I know there are so many great nonfiction art books, but I thought I would suggest three novels, each based on a specific artist.

Those look really good too, Barbara. I will add them to the poll. Thanks!

Should those of us who don't have the Heather endorsement assume our nominations have been deleted?

I don't understand, Cynthia. I haven't deleted anything.

oh! Do you mean when you first suggested Clement Greenberg's art and culture?

I'm sorry I missed that one. I will definitely add that Cynthia! Thank you for recommending it!

No but you've endorsed all the book after the first two.

oh, I'm so sorry. :( I read your posts in a hurry one morning and didn't have time to respond. I just happened to have a little more time to read the subsequent ones. I'm really sorry. I did want to thank you for starting on the nominations. And you did bring up a book I wasn't familiar with. I'm glad you suggested it!

Just checking out the Art Lovers book list and thought maybe this book might make for interesting discussions . . .

1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die
by Stephen Farthing
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45...

--This fat, compact book presents a selection of paintings from the Egyptian era to the present, with a small reproduction and a description of each summarizing highlights of the painting's content, style, and artist. While some might quibble with the choice of paintings, the selection represents well the history of European and American painting, along with some examples from Mexico, South America, and Japan. The descriptions were written by curators and freelance writers based mainly in the UK.


**FYI -- a new book "Van Gogh: The Life" by Steven Naifeh is being released on October 18, 2011. http://stevennaifeh.com/vanGogh.aspx

I don't want to give out too many nominations but if this includes fiction as well, I'd like to nominate Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland I'm reading it now and it's an amazing book exploring an imagined work by Vermeer. It goes nice together with Girl with a Pearl Earring

Heather wrote: "oh, I'm so sorry. :( I read your posts in a hurry one morning and didn't have time to respond. I just happened to have a little more time to read the subsequent ones. I'm really sorry. I did want t..."

OK, thanks.

This is my third suggestion-- "Dearest of Geniuses: A Life of Theodate Pope Riddle" http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/88...

One of America’s first successful female architects. A graduate of Miss Porter's School in Farmington, CT, Theodate designed their home called Hill-Stead which is now the Hill-Stead Museum (in walking distance from Porters).

The museum exhibits their impressive collection of 19th century paintings (Cassat, Degas, Manet, Monet, Whistler); Japanese color woodblock prints (Hokusai, Hiroshige, Utamaro); engravings by Durer (including Melencolia I, 1514); sculpture, decorative arts, gardens and more. http://www.hillstead.org/

Heather wrote: "Those look really good too, Barbara. I will add them to the poll. Thanks!"

Thanks Heather!!!

Cynthia, glad I'm forgiven! :)

We are having some really great suggestions here. Connie brought up again the point that Carol had made a few months ago about maybe reading two books, one historical fiction/fictional biography, and another 'serious art' history. What do we think? We could have two polls and have people vote only on the one that most interests them or if they really want to read both kinds, they can vote on both polls. But ONLY if they read both books. This way hopefully everyone may be able to enjoy their 'level' of art reading. Make sense?

Let me know!

You could do 2 polls (fiction, non-fiction) in August for fall reads, and repeat the poll in December for the spring reads.

9/15--11/15 = Non-Fiction/ large read- #1 choice
10/1--10/31 = Fiction book #1 choice
11/1--11/30 = Fiction book #2 choice

By selecting the top 2 fiction books as the next 2 reads, it gives everyone enough time to find the book before the discussion begins. Discussions led by the book nominator and/or Heather?

Sounds good. I wonder if you might want to start the fiction books a week or two earlier so we are done by Thanksgiving, a busy time for people.

Everyone has come up with some wonderful book suggestions!

That's a great idea Connie! (So much to do during the holidays!) Four out of the five fiction books suggested are under 300 pages so if you read 100 pages a week, it could be finished the Monday before Thanksgiving.

Here's some ideas, culled from my to-read list:

Why Art Cannot be Taught: A Handbook for Art Students
by James Elkins

Joan Mitchell, Lady Painter: A Life
Albers, Patricia

Chuck Close: Life
Finch, Christoph

Caravaggio: Painter of Miracles
Prose, Francine

Camille: The Life of Camille Claudel, Rodin's Muse and Mistress
Paris, Reine-Marie

Lives of the Great Modern Artists
Lucie-Smith, Edward


Black Paintings: Robert Rauschenberg, Ad Reinhardt, Mark Rothko, Frank Stella
by Rosenthal, Stephanie

I have read Judgement of Paris, and recommend it highly, but I'd really like to read something new that we can sink our teeth in.

Could I please request that we keep in mind the availability of the books as well as the $?

I'd be interested in The Judgment of Paris: The Revolutionary Decade that Gave the World Impressionism, by Ross King.

Susanna wrote: "I'd be interested in The Judgment of Paris: The Revolutionary Decade that Gave the World Impressionism, by Ross King."

I'd be more than happy to discuss it with folks, even though I have read it.

Cynthia wrote: "Could I please request that we keep in mind the availability of the books as well as the $?"

Yes, that is a good point, Cynthia. I hope we are all aware of the $$$$ situation.

I'm making notes from the suggestions on books to put on my own list for future reading. But I have to say that I am hesitant to go out and buy any book specifically for a discussion with this group. I read Brunellechi's Dome which had a good discussion. Then I read (or tried to read) The Agony and the Ecstasy and turned out to be the only one reading it. No discussion. Not surprising since the book is merde (imo), but still. I will wait for a while to see if all the talk and noice actually brings forth readers and a discussion before I give it another try.

That said, I have read a few of the proposals (The Judgment of Paris, Girl with Pearl Earring (although that was a very long time ago), Girl in Hyacinth Blue, and maybe others, I'm not sure of all the suggestions. And I'll follow the discussion whether or not I've read the book.

Cynthia wrote: "Could I please request that we keep in mind the availability of the books as well as the $?"

Why buy when you can borrow at your local library (in the US)?

Carol wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Could I please request that we keep in mind the availability of the books as well as the $?"

Why buy when you can borrow at your local library (in the US)?"

I'm handicapped. I can't get to the library. I'm probably not the only one who doesn't have the library option in this and other groups.

Cynthia, I'm sorry to hear that your library does not offer a Home Library Service which provides pick-up and delivery of books. My dad is blind and the state provides all types of audio material (books, newspapers, etc.) delivered to his door. I'm disabled but have been fortunate that our state provides these services. Does your library offer a portal page where you could download books to your phone?

no

I called our local library and she said that all states offer that service to those who cannot leave their home by 1) your local library book delivery service; or 2) your local library partners with an outside (possibly non-profit) organization that provides the service or 3) a library that services multiple towns and has volunteers who provide the delivery service in smaller communities. She suggests calling your library to see if they partner with an outside organization, or have local volunteers. They must provide some type of this service, otherwise they are discriminating against your disability, which is illegal.

In my state we are able to order books online from any town and pick them up from my local library (or download books). Are you able to order books online?

This is not true. I've even begged them to bring the books to my car if I call ahead. They refused.

Cynthia wrote: "This is not true. I've even begged them to bring the books to my car if I call ahead. They refused."

Wow. That's just wrong. I'm beating them up on your behalf in my mind. :P

I'd also be interested in Old Masters, New World: America's Raid on Europe's Great Pictures, by Cynthia Saltzman.

Cynthia, Do you have a friend who could pick up books for you. That doesn't seem right that you are unable to get books delivered to you. Or call your local library and tell them your situation. Something must be done about this matter.

Cynthia wrote: "This is not true. I've even begged them to bring the books to my car if I call ahead. They refused."

Horrible! I called my library and they can't believe that they wouldn't do that. They said that they have brought books out to a disabled person who got a cab ride to the library (they called them on their phone when they got there and ordered the books online).
What is library is doing this?

Carol who should I talk to at the library about this? I'd love to be able to use the library again.

I don't really know. I have been talking to circulation at my library (small city). I guess you could start with circulation or go directly ask to the library director.

Carol wrote: "I don't really know. I have been talking to circulation at my library (small city). I guess you could start with circulation or go directly ask to the library director."

Thanks. I'll try that.

Hi Everyone!

I am not going to send a mass message because I know there are quite a few members who choose not to be involved with the next book read. I hope I can at least reach those of you who are interested in our next read.

I'm sorry I have been less than active these days. We have been closing on our house (today), getting ready to move, then last night we decided that I would not be moving into the new house, we are going to get a divorce instead. Because I wrecked my car in November, I've been driving his. Now I also need to concern myself with finding a car. It's a bit stressful right now.

Not that you are interested in my life, but I felt like as your moderator, I am letting you down. We have a wonderful group here and you all have kept things going without me, thank you!

I have asked someone to undertake the 'challenge' of conducting the next book read just to help me out. I look forward to lots of participation and learning!

Let the group go on!

Heather I would give you a hug if I could reach across the computer. You have been through a lot, and don't worry about a group read, I am pretty busy here with driving daughter to school and may be hectic at times. Sorry for what you are going through. I think others will understand. Hope everything works out for you in the car department.

Heather, I'm sorry you're dealing with so much now. Concentrate on doing what you need to do at home now. The group book read can wait. I'm amazed that you've done so much in this group with everything going on in your life.

I've just bought a lovely little book called How to Look at a Painting by Francoise Barbe-Gall. How to Look at a Painting. It appealed to me becaues although I love looking at art works I don't have any art education background and what little I know is entirely self-taught. It wasn't very expensive here in Australia $31.95 and it's available from the Book Depository with free delivery worldwide see http://tinyurl.com/3cta96o.
"This is what it says on the blurb: Which of us, in the presence of a painting, has not felt that we lack the keys to decipher it? We feel an emotional response, but the work still seems to evade our understanding. Francoise Barbe-Gall combines a nuanced understanding of the way viewers respond to paintings with a rich knowledge of their context and circumstances of their creation. The result is like a tour of an extraordinary museum in the company of a gentle yet authoritative guide. A fascinating range of works are grouped in six thought-provoking chapters that examine our different responses to the ways in which paintings define reality. The author takes as her point of departure the impressions that we all feel when confronted by a canvas and takes us on a voyage of discovery fired by her own passionate enthusiasm for the subject. What is the painting's relationship with the real world? Has the artist idealized nature, or distorted it? Did they want to shock the viewer, or provide consolation? With a clear approach and straightforward yet subtle analysis, the meaning of each work slowly becomes clear. From Raphael's penetrating character study of Castiglione, through Hopper's cinematic take on the wee small hours of the morning, Barbe-Gall begins by covering a number of ostensibly realistic works, made from the stuff of everyday life. Going in quite the other direction, she then looks at the way paintings can express moments of heightened reality, from the perfection of Boticelli's Primavera to the arresting glance of Vermeer's Girl with the Pearl Earring. She discusses paintings that distort the visible world (Parmigianino's Madonna with an improbably long neck, Dali's melting clocks) and those that sow confusion to make us pay closer attention to the real world (Cezanne's depiction of a forest glade, a mysterious fifteenth century altarpiece). Questions of history, style, iconography and composition are dealt in context of the paintings she discusses. Lavishly illustrated and featuring thirty-six fascinating works from Raphael to Rothko, Breughel to Bacon, this is also a magnificent art book".
ISBN is 9780711232129