Cezanne to Picasso: Ambroise Vollard, Patron of the Avant-Garde (Metropolitan Museum of Art Publications) (Hardcover)

~ Rebecca A. Rabinow (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Ambroise Vollard (1867–1939) played a key role in the transformation of the art world in the late 19th century. A pioneering Parisian dealer, Vollard introduced many of the era’s leading artists to the public. This beautifully illustrated catalogue, accompanying the first comprehensive exhibition devoted to Vollard’s extraordinary achievement, presents 130 important paintings, sculpture, and works on paper that he promoted, exhibited, and sold.
Vollard’s groundbreaking exhibition in 1895 of Cézanne’s work definitively established the artist’s reputation, and Vollard subsequently organized major exhibitions of the Nabis, Gauguin, and Van Gogh; promoted the work of artists ranging from Degas to Rouault to the Fauves; and gave many young artists, including Picasso and Matisse, their first solo shows.  In addition, Vollard published print albums and livres d’artiste  that are among the most celebrated of the early 20th century. This important volume features twenty-two essays that examine Vollard’s career and expertise in the art market, his relationships with individual artists and collectors, and a wealth of previously unpublished material from the newly available archive of Vollard’s documents and from the archives of the artists he represented.

About the Author

Rebecca Rabinow is Associate Curator and Administrator in the Department of 19th-Century, Modern, and Contemporary Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Douglas W. Druick is Searle Curator, Medieval through Modern European Painting and Prince Trust Curator of Prints and Drawings at the Art Institute of Chicago. Ann Dumas is a freelance curator, London. Gloria Groom is David and Mary Winton Green Curator, Medieval through Modern European Painting and Modern European Sculpture at the Art Institute of Chicago. Anne Roquebert is Conservateur at the Musée d’Orsay, Paris. Gary Tinterow is Engelhard Curator in Charge in the Department of 19th-Century, Modern, and Contemporary Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Metropolitan Museum of Art (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300117795
• ISBN-13: 978-0300117790
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #767,600 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At Last, a Tribute to an Art Dealer!, October 16, 2006

By	Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has produced yet another fine curatorial statement with their exhibition 'Cezanne to Picasso: Ambroise Vollard, Patron of the Avant-Garde' and fortunately the accompanying catalogue is as bold and beautiful as the exhibition itself. The concept of discussing artists of international stature from the stance of the man who gave their careers the jumpstart needed is unique and valuable and is a tribute to the work that art dealers around the world perform in assisting artists in their career paths.

Ambroise Vollard (1867-1939), a Parisian art dealer, played a significant role in molding the art movements of the late 19th and early 20th century. The stimulus, according to the curators and essayists of this lavishly illustrated book, was the 1895 exhibition of Cezanne's art, an exhibition which triggered the movements of modern art as followed by such artists as Gauguin, Van Gogh, Degas, Rouault, Matisse and Picasso. Some credit Vollard with the development of the Fauvist school simply by his intelligent, sensitive, provocative exhibitions of the right artists given space beside each other that created comparisons and links.

The concept of art dealer as innovator is a fresh one and one handled with sufficient intelligent documentation by the various writers contributing to this catalogue to lend credibility to the premise. But over and above the curatorial concept is the pleasure of the exceptional illustrations of works by familiar artists not usually seen in books of this sort. The writing and design make this catalogue/book a collector's item that will enhance not only art school libraries but also the personal libraries of all art lovers. A very fine addition to the information about the artists included in this exhibition and catalogue. Grady Harp, October 06

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars worth every penny, January 11, 2007

By	Ruth Klonsky "art devotee" (new york usa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is jammed with fascinating information,gorgeous reproductions and is extremely well priced.Anyone interested in 20th cent.art will welcome this book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The quintessential art dealer, April 1, 2007

By	Claude Reich (Florianopolis, Brazil and Paris, France) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

A great exhibition, a great dealer and a great book. Very well documented, even though Vollard seems to have been very secretive. He certainly was at the right place, at the right time as the book very well shows . He no doubt was an opportunist, but with an eye and a love of art unmatched by his peers. He also invented the art market of his time and certainly deserved such a beautiful tribute.