Post-Impressionism: The Rise of Modern Art, 1880-1920

Rating:
Summary: Hundreds of great reproductions
Review: As a student of the visual arts I have encountered many art books, but few have the wealth and quality of reproductions as this one. The criticism of Parsons and Gale is emminently readable, if not at times simplistic, and provides a thorough introduction to a sweeping period of history. But even if this book contained not a single sentance of history or criticism it would be worth purchasing, simply for the images which take up most of this 400 page book. Featuring masterpieces, both well known and obscure, many of the images are given large size, full page, high quality photographs and others are given double page fold outs. Furthermore, Parsons and Gale do not restrict themselves to the Parisian Avant-Garde but extend there scope to include Russia, America, Britain and all of Europe. If you are after a pictorial history of modernism, this is the best I've ever seen.

Rating:
Summary: Hundreds of great reproductions
Review: As a student of the visual arts I have encountered many art books, but few have the wealth and quality of reproductions as this one. The criticism of Parsons and Gale is emminently readable, if not at times simplistic, and provides a thorough introduction to a sweeping period of history. But even if this book contained not a single sentance of history or criticism it would be worth purchasing, simply for the images which take up most of this 400 page book. Featuring masterpieces, both well known and obscure, many of the images are given large size, full page, high quality photographs and others are given double page fold outs. Furthermore, Parsons and Gale do not restrict themselves to the Parisian Avant-Garde but extend there scope to include Russia, America, Britain and all of Europe. If you are after a pictorial history of modernism, this is the best I've ever seen.

Rating:
Summary: Great Prints
Review: These prints are beautiful--you can see every stroke of the brush. Large and heavy book, hard for me to get comfortable reading in on the sofa--but at a desk it works fine. The interpretations the author offers are interesting but not neccessary, they might be more usuful for someone who has never tried to analyze art. I give it one star off because the medium used and dimesions of the piece are not listed. Unfortunate. Also, I wondered why artists such as Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt and Lucian Freud were not included. Might have been to riske. In any event, this is a beautiful book for one's personal library.

Rating:
Summary: Great Prints
Review: These prints are beautiful--you can see every stroke of the brush. Large and heavy book, hard for me to get comfortable reading in on the sofa--but at a desk it works fine. The interpretations the author offers are interesting but not neccessary, they might be more usuful for someone who has never tried to analyze art. I give it one star off because the medium used and dimesions of the piece are not listed. Unfortunate. Also, I wondered why artists such as Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt and Lucian Freud were not included. Might have been to riske. In any event, this is a beautiful book for one's personal library.