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New Art Books / Videos
Compiled By RAYMOND
J. STEINER
ART
TIMES Jan/Feb, 2005
YALE
UNIVERSITY PRESS: The Sixteenth-Century Italian Paintings (Vol. 1) by Nicholas Penny. 464 pp.; 8 1/2 x 11 3/4; 300 Illus.,
200 in Color; Appendix; Indices. $125.00 Hardcover. A comprehensive
volume, The Sixteenth-Century Italian Paintings catalogues the
holdings of the National Gallery, London, including, among others, the
works of such artists as Lotto, Moroni, Moretto, and Veneto. Handsomely
produced, the book features excellent reproductions and extensive commentary
by Nicholas Penny on each of the selections. A major contribution to
our knowledge of the art and artists of Italy’s 16th-century.
***** Luminous Art: Hanukkah Menorahs of The Jewish Museum by Susan L. Braunstein. 256 pp.; 9 x 12; 140 Color Illus.; Bibliography;
Index. $50.00 Hardcover. Celebrating their over 1,000 lamps, Hanukkah
Menorahs of the Jewish Museum offers
a lavish array of some of their most beautiful holdings. Beautifully
illustrated, the book offers the reader a wonderful insight into the
service of art in the name of religion. Includes lamps from six continents.
***** Castellani and Italian Archaeological Jewelry by Susan Weber Soros and Stefanie Walker. 400 pp.;
9 3/4 x 12; 430 Illus., 350 in Color; Appendix, Bibliography; Index.
$75.00 Hardcover. A gorgeously sumptuous feast for the eyes,
Castellani and Italian Archaeological Jewelry celebrates three generations
of the Castellani family’s artistic and cultural contributions
to the world of beauty. A major study, this volume would grace the library
of the most discerning appreciator of art. ***** Joseph Beuys: Actions,
Vitrines, Environments by Mark Rosenthal, et al. 224 pp.; 9 1/4
x 12 1/4; 140 Illus., 50 in Color; Chronology; Checklist of Exhibition;
Index of Plates. $50.00 Hardcover. Published in conjunction with
an exhibition at The Menil Collection, Houston (Feb 2-May 3), Joseph
Beuys presents an extensive overview of the sculptural works of
the artist. Includes a chronology and evaluation of Beuys’ influence
on modern art. Excellent reproductions. **** Art in the Making:
Degas by David Bomford, et al. 160 pp.; 9 5/8 x 10 5/8; 142 Illus.,
75 in Color; Notes; Bibliography; Glossary. $35.00 Softcover. One
of a series in the National Gallery of London’s “Art in
the Making”, Degas, published in conjunction with an exhibition
presently at the Gallery (thru Jan 30), offers an in-depth look into
the materials, the techniques, and the historical and social context
with and in which Degas lived and worked. Immensely informative. ****
All the Mighty World: The Photographs of Roger Fenton, 1852-1860 by Gordon Baldwin, et al. 304 pp.; 12 x 10;
174 Illus., including 96 in Quadratone; List of Plates; Notes;
Bibliography; Index. $24.95 Hardcover. Published in conjunction
with a traveling exhibition (currently at the National Gallery of
Art, Washington ((thru Jane 2)) and moving on to the J. Paul Getty Museum,
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Tate throughout 2005 and 2006),
All the Mighty World offers a beautiful collection of images
by one of England’s most celebrated photographers.
At home at royal residences or humble surroundings, Fenton’s eye
was always sure, always in tune with the perfect vista. A very handsome
book. ***** Wild: Fashion Untamed by Andrew Bolton. 180 pp.;
7 1/4 x10 1/8; 95 Color Illus.; Selected Bibliography. $24.95 Hardcover.
The accompanying text to an exhibition of the same name at The Metropolitan
Museum of Art (thru Mar 13), Wild explores the fascination of
fashion with the world’s fauna from
“practical, spiritual, psychosexual, and socioeconomic”
aspects. Covers a wide range of fashion, art and eras that reaches back
into prehistoric cave painting. An interesting and curious study that
will delight those with any eye for the flamboyant. *** Heritage
of Power: Ancient Sculpture from West Mexico by Kristi Butterwick.
96 pp.; 8 5/8 x 11; 74 Illus., 62 in Color; Selected Bibliography.
$19.95 Softcover. Published to accompany an exhibition of the same
name at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (thru Apr 3), Heritage of
Power explores and illuminates Colima, Jalisco, and Nayarit West
Mexican figural sculpture. An interesting and scholarly study. ***
HARRY
N. ABRAMS, INC.: Matisse: From Color to Architecture by René
Percheron and Christian Brouder. 384 pp.; 10 x 12 1/2; Approx. 400
B/W & Color Illus.; Notes; Index of Names; Index of Illustrated
Works; Selected Bibliography. $125.00 Hardcover. This sumptuous, slip-cased volume focuses on Matisse’s work at the
Chapel of the Rosary in Vence and a nursery school located in his hometown
of Le Cateau-Cambrésis, sites which, in the opinion of the authors,
serves as a “culmination” of his entire oeuvre. A gorgeous
book, From Color to Architecture is
destined not only to be a handsome addition to the art-lover’s
library but one that will be thoroughly browsed by the serious reader.
***** National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City by Felipe
Solis, et al. 420 pp.; 11 1/2 x 13; 450 Color Illus.; Bibliography.
$85.00 Hardcover. Published in celebration of Mexico’s National
Museum of Anthropology 40th Anniversary, this beautifully
produced volume showcases both the mission and collection of this extraordinary
institution. Includes sculpture, painting, pottery and artifacts from
such pre-Columbian groups as the Aztecs, the Mayas and others. A major
contribution. ***** Rauschenberg:
Art and Life (Revised Edition) by Mary Lynn Kotz. 352 pp.; 10
1/2 x 10 3/4; 230 Illus.; 112 in Color; Notes; Chronology; Selecte4d
Bibliography; Index. $65.00 Hardcover. Published to coincide with
a major exhibition of the artist’s work at Pace-Wildenstein Gallery
in NYC (Jan 14-Feb 12) at which the artist will be present, this revised
edition features much of Rauschenburg’s recent work. A comprehensive
work. **** Yann Arthus-Bertrand: Being a Photographer by
Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Sophie Troubac. 240 pp.; 8 x 9 3/4; 220
Illus., 180 in Color; DVD. $45.00 Hardcover. Already acclaimed as
a master photographer since the publication of his book, Earth from
Above, the present volume offers a larger overview of Arthus-Bertrand’s
life and work, including his ever-compelling studies of our planet and
its inhabitants. Lavishly illustrated, Being a Photographer is
a wonderful journey. ***** Greetings from Andy (Warhol): Christmas
at Tiffany’s by John Loring. 96 pp.; 6 3/4 x 7 1/2; 50
Illus., 40 in Color; Bibliography. $25.00 (Slipcased) Hardcover. A
nice little gift for those Warholian fans who would like to see or review
his early illustrative efforts for Tiffany & Co. Cute. **
THAMES
& HUDSON: Collage: The Making of Modern Art by Brandon Taylor.
224 pp.; 8 7/8 x 11; 206 Illus., 91 in Color; Notes; Bibliography;
List of Illustrations; Index. $50.00 Hardcover. The first of its
kind, Collage takes us on a journey of exploration that seeks
not only the origins, but also the evolution and impact of an artform
that has made a major impact on the artworld of today. Includes not
only an overview of the major works and artists who have turned their
hand to collage, but a glimpse into the many offshoots (assemblage,
montage, etc.) that has grown from them. **** The Art of Rachel
Whiteread (Ed.) Chris Townsend. 224 pp.; 6 1/4 x 9 1/4; 54 Illus.,
50 in Color; Notes; Index. $24.95 Softcover. One of our leading
“political” artists, the work of Rachel Whiteread is here
examined by a host of leading critics under the guiding hand of author/lecturer
Chris Townsend. Comprehensive. **
UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA PRESS: Childsplay: The Art of Allan Kaprow by Jeff Kelley. 270 pp.; 8 1/2 x 9 1/2; 176 Illus., 20 in Color; Notes;
List of Illustrations; Index. $45.00 Hardcover. In spite of the fact that a “happening”,
by design, was a one-of-a-kind, momentary event, author Jeff Kelley
offers up a “hard-copy” overview of one of our best-known
conceptual artists. To the sober-minded viewer, Childsplay might just confirm Kaprow’s declaration that he was, indeed, “anti-art.”
Not for the traditionalist. ***
ACADEMY
CHICAGO PUBLISHERS/OLIVE: The Seeing I: A New Compilation of Artwork
by Buky Schwartz (Ed.) Ted Perry. 175 pp.; 9 1/4 x 11 1/4; B/W
& Color Illus.; Chronology; Selected Bibliography. $45.00 Hardcover.
The Seeing I offers an overview and analysis of the sculptural work
(many on-site installations) of the Israeli-born artist, Buky Schwartz.
The many excellent reproductions are supplemented by a CD-ROM that provides
an interactive tour of four of the works included. ****
UNIVERSITY
OF WASHINGTON PRESS: Carnaval! (Ed.) Barbara Mauldin. 352 pp.;
8 1/2 x 11; 335 Color Illus.; Maps; Bibliography; Index. $40.00 Softcover.
Published in conjunction with an exhibition at the Museum of International
Folk Art, Santa Fe (thru Aug 28), Carnaval! celebrates a festival
that has thrilled people around the world. The book features a dazzling
medley of photographic images that will delight anyone who has ever
attended a “carnival” either here in the U.S. (New Orleans)
or at any of the several European cities that celebrate it. ****
A Thriving Modernism: The Houses of Wendell Lovett and Arne Bystrom
by Grant Hildebrand and T. William Booth. 168 pp.; 8 1/2 x 10;
188 Illus., 142 in Color; Appendix; Notes; Index. $40.00 Hardcover.
An extensive look into the work and legacy of two Pacific Northwest architects
whose work nicely blends a sense of modernism with a respect for the
natural environment. ***
PRESTEL:
Trick of the Eye: Trompe l’Oeil Masterpieces by Eckhard Hoffmann and Jürgen Tesch. 96 pp.; 10 x 12 1/2; Color
Illus.; List of Artists. $35.00 Hardcover. This beautifully illustrated book
features the work of over 45 artists, each selection teasing the eye
with the “tricks” of art that fool the eye. Includes works
that range from easel paintings to large-scale murals. A pleasure to
browse. *****
UNIVERSITY
OF PENNSYLVANIA PRESS: For the Millions: American Art and Culture Between
the Wars by A. Joan Saab. 240 pp.; 6 x 9; 51 B/W Illus.; Notes;
Index. $35.00 Hardcover. A look back at the Depression era, the
Federal Art Projects, and a host of ‘30s agendas that attempted
to democratize art, For the Millions offers an overview of the
age that fed “Social Realist” painting and the shaky concept
that artists were akin to common workmen. ***
LOST
COAST PRESS: The Intimate Landscape: A New Look at the Origins of the
American Barbizon School by Estelle Riback. 144 pp.; 8 x 10;
31 Color Illus.; Chronologies; Bibliographies; Notes; Index. $29.95
Softcover. Focusing on the works of William Morris Hunt, George
Inness, Homer Dodge Martin, and Alexander Helwig Wyant, The Intimate
Landscape traces the beginnings and influence of these painters
on what has become known as “American Barbizon” art. Generously
laced with her own insights, Riback does a meticulous job of research
on each of these seminal painters. ****
STERLING
PUBLISHING CO., INC.: Priscilla Hauser’s Flower Portraits by
Priscilla Hauser. 128 pp.; 9 x 11 3/8; Color Illus.; Metric Conversion
Chart; Index. $29.95 Hardcover. The Art of Enameling: Techniques,
Projects, Inspiration by Linda Darty. 176 pp.; Color Illus.;
Metal Gauge & Bibliography; Notes on Suppliers; Index. $24.95 Hardcover.
Beyond the Basics: Mosaics by Elizabeth DuVal. 132 pp.;
Color Illus.; Metric Equivalency Charts; Index. $19.95 Hardcover. Art
of Drawing the Human Body (Translated from Spanish) by Edgar Loy
Fankbonner. 160 pp.; B/W & Color Illus.; Index. $17.95 Softcover.
As has been their consistent policy in the distribution of high-quality
artbooks for the working artist, Sterling Publications again offers
a selection of some of the very best “how-to” books from
Britain to American readers. Each volume is written by practicing experts
in their respective fields, each fully-illustrated and chock full of
practical guides and projects. Always a bargain. *****
RED
HEIFER PRESS: Rumours of Bees: Paintings by Tricia Sellmer, Poems by
Alexander Forbes. 64 pp.; 7 1/2 x 12; Over 28 Color Illus. $34.95
Softcover. As its title indicates, Rumours of Bees features
art and poetry of two Canadian artists. A charming holiday gift for
that favorite person. ***