Customer Reviews

Childe Hassam: An Island Garden Revisited

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Somewhere in one of my many boxes of books I have a copy of a reprint of the original book by Celia Thaxter, "An Island Garden". I have written a review about this book for Amazon elsewhere, and said it wasn't very good (it isn't) and received many negative votes. My major complaint about the "other" book is that you cannot see the brush strokes in the paintings. The book obviously appeals to those who care not a whit about brush strokes.

Fans of Child Hassam--this is the book you want. No, it isn't the cute little book by Thaxter. The reproductions of Childe Hassam's paintings of Celia Thaxter's island in CHILD HASSAM: AN ISLAND GARDEN REVISITED are 100 times better--and you can see the brush strokes. I can't give this book five stars, because I collect art books know the reproductions could have been better. However, the reproductions in this book are head and shoulders above those in Thaxter's book. Not only that, David Curry has included much text about life on Thaxer's island and in her famous parlor.

If you are a fan of the American Impressionist Childe Hassam, you will appreciate knowing something about the artist, his work, his friends, and his relationship with Ms. Thaxter. Most of all, you will be able to see what he painted and get an idea of where you might locate some of the originals. They are still hanging in various places such as the Walter's Gallery in Baltimore and other esoteric locations.

Having a copy of An Island Garden prompted me to buy this wonderful book. Childe Hassam's impressionists beginnings are recorded by his work from this little resort island called Isles of Shoals off New Hampshire's coast. I am so grateful to have a little window into how Chile Hassam developed into the artist he was. Celia Thaxter became his poetic muse, and this book records his work from her little garden on Appledore to lighthouses, to the rocky shoals on the coastline. I highly recommend this book.

If you like Hassam's work, you will not be disappointed in this book. Some of the subjects are very similar, as he created these pictures in the same area, but the variety of pastel, watercolor, and oils make this a great book. Very highly recommended.

Fantastic fast service and the book was accurate to its presentation for sale!!!
I would purchase from this site again. I am researching the Isles of Shoals and Celia Thaxter and this book is a great resource for the poet the islands and Hassam!Childe Hassam: An Island Garden Revisited