Edouard Vuillard

Rating:
Summary: From hesitation to a superb rating....
Review: I had the opportunity to see this show at the National Gallery in Washington D.C. and am amazed at how well everything was represented both in the book and at the show. At first I wasn't going to buy the book but, after speaking with my painting professor, who has been collecting Vuillard books for over 30 years, state that this is THE most comprehensive book of Vuillard's work and probably has more information and work than all his other Vuillard books combined, well, that clenched it and I had to get the book. I am very, very glad I did.

Rating:
Summary: An authoritative coverage of Vuillard's vast body of art
Review: The career of this French painter and photographer spanned the first four decades of the 20th century and produced a wealth of works. Edouard Vuillard represents the most comprehensive and authoritative study of Vuillard's art, with over a hundred works covering the wide range of his creations and enjoying essays by the authors, who explore his career and influences. Though it's the catalog for an exhibition in Washington DC, Edouard Vuillard will also earn its own rightful place as an authoritative coverage of Vuillard's vast body of art.

Rating:
Summary: A reputation revived
Review: Vuillard has always attracted less attention than Bonnard and long been regarded as interesting but rather limited and restricted in his interests and subject matter, in short an 'intimiste'.

This strikingly well produced book in which the colour illustrations are among the best I have ever seen makes it possible to reconsider the artist quite thoroughly and demonstrates convincingly that he covered a far wider range of subjects and ideas than has hitherto been generally supposed. There is much in here that even those who have seen previous Vuillard exhibitions will find new.

My one complaint is the enormous size and weight of the book which certainly helps with the reproductions but makes it difficult to read the extremely useful text which carries (successfully) the argument for reconsideration. Be it noted that the reproductions are of such high quality that they recreate the feel of Vuillard's surfaces which are a great pleasure.

One of the finest art books I have ever seen and a major contribution.