Customer Reviews

Claudio Bravo: Paintings and Drawings

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For those of the "realist" persuasion, "Claudio Bravo" is a must-have library addition. The quality and reproduction is outstanding. Bravo's range as to subject matter, composition, and execution in various media is nothing short of genius. Clearly, Bravo is a modern master and the compilation of his work and life has been done masterfully in this book.

Right lets start off by skipping the origin stuff, the early years stuff, and who associated with whom stuff. Claudio Bravo is hands down the best artist there is still living, period. Fluff piece? not when merit is the order of the day. Practically self- taught Bravo paints with obvious skill and attention. He explains his approach, in the text, and within the still lifes, (his are the only ones I thought worth a damn.) and figurative work, whether in oil, pastel, chalk, or pencil, he commands his instinct to persue his vision. Don't like it? Tough, Bravo isn't ashamed, nor repentent about his skill as a realist, quasi- or otherwise. I saw the man's work at Duke in '88 and made my decision there and then to be an artist. I've never looked back, and his book is a confirmation of ideals badly missed in contemporary art, and I wish there were more copies so I could buy one. Now old boy is in the 60's U.S. take notice, this is one true artist not likely to come this way again, dig it. Adam Narcross

Representational art - observing and painting what is actually seen by the artist - remains the constant in the fluctuating trends and movements in art history. There are times when realist painting is praised and times when it is loathed as passé and static. But in the hands of its masters, and Claudio Bravo the Chilean artist painting in Tangiers is certainly one of them, it is a zenith of creativity.

This lavishly illustrated book is a visual delight, including the inordinately beautiful drawings seldom seen in addition to the paintings of figures, of still lifes, of color and light and intensity as few others can imitate. As with all representational artists Bravo has his champions and his detractors, some viewers finding his work from lewd to boring while others stand in awe of the painters amazing gifts of incorporating light and mood where few other artists tread.

The accompanying written essays are interesting to a degree but hardly inform about Bravo's craft while speculating about his life. Even in the hands of brilliant writer Paul Bowles there is little to learn about painting beyond the author-drawn similarities of expatriate creative lives. Recommended for lovers of beauty. Grady Harp, December 05

This large book contains many excellent color reproductions of Bravo's oils and pastels, and also some beautiful reproductions of pencil, charcoal and sanguine drawings. While the reproductions are tiny compared to the originals, which are very large, the book is a wonderful treasure. I went to see some of the orignals at the gallery that represents Bravo in New York. Now, looking at the book, I am more conscious of the scale difference. But, there are two reproductions -- a portrait, and a still life of a hat, there are presented just slightly smaller than they were actually painted. These are especially interesting. I haven't seen any other same-size reproductions or details in catalogs. The book was published at $95. I looked for a copy for months and paid hundreds, but for me it was well worth it -- especially since I will never be able to afford an original (upper five figures for pastels and six figures for oils).

It took a long while to finally find this treasure but well worth it. This book really allows one to appreciate this master if only in a book. Mr. Bravo is nothing short of a genius.

wow! this is everything you want in an artwork...namely, tons of art! in an era where i have a feeling a lot of artists couldn't draw their way out of a paper bag, claudio bravo is here to remind us what real art actually looks like. a subperb draftsman who can draw as good as any of the old masters, and an excellent painter as well who pays attention to light and color and texture. save up for this one if you have to, but get it if you like realism at its best or are a fan of brillant still life paintings.

Claudio Bravo's expanded tome is packed with decades worth of his catholic (note: small "c") version of realism. In their pureness of representation and presentation objects presented often elide with the ideal and the abstract. See for yourself, just look at the painting of wool yarns shown on the dust cover.

One cannot help but come away with the feeling that Bravo's sense of color and compositional taste are spot on!

I can still remember the very day I first saw Bravo's work, it was through this book and since then there has been no other artist that has moved me to such an extent. Being an artist myself, I am in awe at his control over his medium, he is surpassed by no other. One thing I love about his work is the fact that he has distinguished himself from the all other realists and the trends therein which are rather predictable. His still lifes are a breath of fresh air, departing from the usual ho-hum, I agree fully with Adam Narcross' exclamation regarding Bravo's still lifes,"...His are the only ones I thought worth a damn". From figurative to landscape, pencil to paint and all in between, his work carries a solidity and tangibility scarcely found elsewhere. He gives the viewer a feast for the eyes, orchestrating the details and emphasizing the overall form in such an impeccable way as to hide all evidence of the hours and hours of toil and effort by human hands, camouflaging complexity in the mist of beauty. He paints from his Home studio and utilizes the glow of Mediterranean sunlight to the advantage of the work. In his work, Light and Color dominate, giving the viewer a sense that he is actually there in Tangier as a guest in Bravo's very home, like a glorified Vermeer. Unfortunately, I have never seen his originals, but the books that available are truly the next best thing, I was lucky and was able to order this one for roughly $80 and should be getting it Nov. 2004, until then I'll keep on checking it out at the library...I bet they can't wait to finally get their book back so someone else can see it for a change!

I can still remember the very day I first saw Bravo's work, it was through this book and since then there has been no other artist that has moved me to such an extent. Being an artist myself, I am in awe at his control over his medium, he is surpassed by no other. One thing I love about his work is the fact that he has distinguished himself from the all other realists and the trends therein which are rather predictable. His still lifes are a breath of fresh air, departing from the usual ho-hum, I agree fully with Adam Narcross' exclamation regarding Bravo's still lifes,"...His are the only ones I thought worth a damn". From figurative to landscape, pencil to paint and all in between, his work carries a solidity and tangibility scarcely found elsewhere. He gives the viewer a feast for the eyes, orchestrating the details and emphasizing the overall form in such an impeccable way as to hide all evidence of the hours and hours of toil and effort by human hands, camouflaging complexity in the mist of beauty. He paints from his Home studio and utilizes the glow of Mediterranean sunlight to the advantage of the work. In his work, Light and Color dominate, giving the viewer a sense that he is actually there in Tangier as a guest in Bravo's very home, like a glorified Vermeer. Unfortunately, I have never seen his originals, but the books that available are truly the next best thing, I was lucky and was able to order this one for roughly $80 and should be getting it Nov. 2004, until then I'll keep on checking it out at the library...I bet they can't wait to finally get their book back so someone else can see it for a change!

If you are a fan of this type of art you will be in heaven. The paintings in the book are absolutely awe-inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed studying the paintings and reading about Claudio Bravo.