Degas and the Dance: The Painter and the Petits Rats, Perfecting Their Art

Rating:
Summary: For anyone who appreciates the immortal art of Edgar Degas
Review: Collaboratively produced by independent curator and ballet instructor Jill DeVonyar and art historian Richard Kendall, Degas And The Dance is a gorgeous volume filled cover to cover with spectacular color photographs of art and sculpture celebrating the dance, particularly ballet, as created by 19th century artist Edgar Degas. An insightful text provides informative commentary about the man called "the painter of dancers", and his body of work, enriches this vivid presentation of pieces that blend realism with occasional softening or abstracting elements. Degas And The Dance is enthusiastically recommended as being beautiful book just to page through, and a "must" for anyone who appreciates the immortal art of Edgar Degas.

Rating:
Summary: Not your average exhibition catalogue
Review: The relatively high cost of these big art volumes based on major exhibitions are often a significant factor when considering their purchase. Reader: in this case you will not regret it. Go ahead, buy the book. This beautiuflly published volume is worth it. I had the good fortune to see this exhibit in Philadelphia. It was wonderful and this catalogue is a great companion. In addition to an informative and well written text, the book contains over three hundred plates (about half are color), a rigorous documentation of Degas' decades long obsession with ballet at the Paris Opera. The period photographs are a fascinating complement.
The text is divided into eight chronologically organized chapters. The writing is clear and not overly-academic.
This is a book you can keep returning to. It is also a great gift for lovers of dance. Buy it from your local bookstore.

Rating:
Summary: Not your average exhibition catalogue
Review: The relatively high cost of these big art volumes based on major exhibitions are often a significant factor when considering their purchase. Reader: in this case you will not regret it. Go ahead, buy the book. This beautiuflly published volume is worth it. I had the good fortune to see this exhibit in Philadelphia. It was wonderful and this catalogue is a great companion. In addition to an informative and well written text, the book contains over three hundred plates (about half are color), a rigorous documentation of Degas' decades long obsession with ballet at the Paris Opera. The period photographs are a fascinating complement.
The text is divided into eight chronologically organized chapters. The writing is clear and not overly-academic.
This is a book you can keep returning to. It is also a great gift for lovers of dance. Buy it from your local bookstore.