Customer Reviews

Bonnard (World of Art)

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Nicholas Watkins comprehensive overview of the work of Bonnard deals with the rich interplay between the quiet domesticity and the radiant, transcendental quality of the painter's art. The book covers the early years of Bonnard's work and his use of photography. The phases of the artist's work are covered in clear chapters with references to the excellent reproductions. It is especially helpful to see Bonnard's small, seemingly offhand pencil sketches, alongside the paintings. This gives a sense of the trasformative and magical quality of his observations. The many reproductions are vibrant in comparison to those seen in some other books currently available.

Bonnard fell between eras, as a post impressionist, always up against the fame of the cubists, and always compared (unfavorably, and unfairly) with the genius of Picasso. He was a quiet force, a colorist of the highest order, bringing us the light of southern France forever. This book is a great gift for an art lover, a treat for the eyes and the mind.

Bonnard is hot and getting hotter. You can't pick up a novel without reading that one of the characters either has a Bonnard, is getting ready to steal a Bonnard, or simply desires one.

This book has great photos and the biography, which definitely belongs with the art, is extremely well written. This is a fine book and I like it so much that when my son, who is an artist, wanted to borrow it, I simply bought him his own copy. I keep mine for myself. Selfish, but true..and tells you how much I treasure it.

The scope of work presented in this book is very wide and complete, the ratio of text to pictures is very satisfying, and the pictures themselves are nice and large. However the quality of the reproductions has not impressed me at all, the colors that Bonnard is so famous for are washed out, and the prints appear blurry. Allover a rather disappointing book.