Pablo Picasso 1881-1973: Genius of the Century

May 25, 2008 | By Doug In picasso | Comments(0)

Pablo Picasso 1881-1973: Genius of the Century
Customer Review: Excellent value
(A review of the papeback editon)

The two volume book is arranged in seventeen chapters concluding with a considerable Chronology illustrated with numerous black and white pictures, mostly photographs with many of the artist, Notes, a Bibliography which includes exhibition catalogues, and a rather brief (one page) Index of Names.

The opening Chapter reminds us of the stature of the man, and of his prodigious output; briefly summarising his career. The subsequent Chapters chronicle Picasso’s progress starting with his childhood efforts, through the Blue and Rose Periods, Cubism, “Guernica” to mention just a few and concluding with “The Legend of the Artist”. It is intelligently written, accessible and makes very interesting reading. The illustrations run with the text and are usually within a page or two of the relevant reference.

Produced in two paperback volumes in a cardboard slipcase Taschen’s 25 anniversary edition is an impressive effort. It is superbly illustrated throughout with approaching 1,500 images mainly in colour but with a few back and white (usually drawings or photographs). The smallest pictures are just thumbnails, the largest full page and the occasional double page spread, with every size between; but there are plenty of good sized pictures with whole sections of colour plates, it certainly makes an impressive array. Overall the pictures far outweigh the text.

At such good value for money it is hard to be critical of this two volume set, but I fear I have two concerns. Firstly the Index seems wholly inadequate, an Index of Names which amounts to one page; finding a particular painting or anything else might prove difficult. Secondly, while the two volumes come protected in a slipcase, the card covers (paperback edition) to the individual volumes feel very slight; with each approaching 400 pages one feels one has to handle them with great care for fear of damaging the binding. It is however a very worthwhile set, one would be hard pressed to find so many reproductions of Picasso’s work elsewhere for the money,

and would not hesitate to recommend it.

Customer Review: A 'Must Have' book for Picasso lovers.
A must have for anyone really. Lovely cover, big print, easy to get around and absorb. Educational for those who are not familiar with his work. Now a classic really for it refers to last rather than this century.

Please note that due to the size and weight of this product delivery may take up to 5 days
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The Artist and the Camera: Degas to Picasso

May 25, 2008 | By Doug In picasso | Comments(0)

The Artist and the Camera: Degas to Picasso
Customer Review: Photography as the Painter and Sculptor’s Intermediary
I first became aware of the impact of photography on abstract art when I commissioned a portrait. Expecting to be told to sit, instead I was encouraged to strike poses that meant something to me. The artist followed me around with a Polaroid camera. We discussed what the camera was showing, and tried different poses. Eventually, we found one we both liked. Then he made copies of the Polaroid and began using a marker to crop and adjust the work. Later, when the painting was finished, I could see a memory of the Polaroid but the actual painting was quite different in image and execution of color and materials. When I asked about this, the artist told me he had first trained as a photographic artist and liked to work back and forth between the two media. Very interesting.

With that experience, I was delighted to see this fine work on the impact photography had on Symbolist artists around the turn of the 20th century. This is a catalogue also for a traveling show that is just about to close at the Guggenheim in Bilbao. The closest location to me was Dallas, so I would have missed the show otherwise.

The catalogue is much more heavy duty than most such efforts. It is dominated by essays rather than by images, although it is generously illustrated.

The subject is well-chosen because these artists were heavily interested in expressing the interior essence of the subjects rather than their outward appearance. Dorothy Kosinski’s opening essay on Vision and Visionaries is a wonderful summary of the show. After introductory essays by Elizabeth Childs on The Photographic Muse, Douglas Nickel on Photography and Invisibility, and Ulrich Pohlmann on Photography as a Study Aid, each artist has an essay describing his use of photography. In order of appearance are Moreau, Degas, Rodin, Gauguin, Khnopff, Rosso, Mucha, Munch, von Stuck, Vallotton, Bonnard, Vuillard, Brancusi, and Picasso. Some of the artists may be unfamiliar to you, as they were to me. But it’s a good excuse to learn about them.

What I learned from the book was a greater appreciation for the creative process. For example, I might admire a figure in a painting, but seeing it in the context of a photograph of the model makes me appreciate it more. Because this way I can see what the artist added, which gives me clues as to what the artist wanted to express that I might have missed. And the transformations are quite substantial and impressive.

Naturally, not everyone used photographs simply as models. The sculptors tended to use photography also to display their work in more powerful ways. For example, the lighting effects on Rodin’s and Brancusi’s finished works are quite stunning . . . adding elements that would be unseen otherwise.

I was equally interested in the use of x-rays and microscopic pictures to reveal what cannot be detected by the eye, and expand the range of images that can be considered. Photography of motion also picks up elements that can never be posed otherwise, like a rider on a racing horse.

Photography also became a form of communication for these artists. Gauguin used photographs to keep in touch with Paris in both directions while in Tahiti. Picasso was able to carry around with him the classical examples that inspired him, without needing to revisit the original. These references also communicate to us more about what he had seen and wanted to portray. It expanded my understanding of his early works to see these connections. His classical roots are much deeper than I had realized.

Interestingly, the artists usually tried to keep their use of photography a secret. Some even railed against photography, while using it in private to assist them. Many of them eventually learned to make their own photographs, but many relied on the talent of fine photographers to help them.

The question that kept running through my mind was how artists are using the Internet now in ways that will not be documented and understood for another 100 plus years.

Enjoy this wonderful and thought provoking book that will expand your access to art!

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