John Henry Twachtman: An American Impressionist

Rating:
Summary: A bit disappointing
Review: This book is beautifully bound and the color reproductions seem accurate. But I was disappointed by the uniformity of Twachtman's work. Supposedly at the threshold between impressionism and modernism, his work nevertheless seems flaccid, lackluster, and incredibly uniform, as if he were painting as a past time. This is more obvious if you see his work in succession and not piecemeal in an assortment of art history books (which describes my previous exposure to his work). Given the aura of mystery surrounding Twachtman I was somewhat surprised and disappointed. I suspect an element of mythmaking augmented his career. However, there are some beautiful paintings in this volume and if you are a hardcore devotee of Twachtman and already familiar with his work you will probably love this book.

Rating:
Summary: Essential Compilation of Twachtman's Works
Review: With 75 accurate color reproductions of Twachtman's work, for any who love to study the subtlety of this American master this book is essential. From his haunting snow scenes to his bold work from Yellowstone and Niagra Falls, it's all here. Twachtman is one of the most profound influences on my work as a contemporary painter, and no student or art lover's library is complete without it.