Customer Reviews

In Contemporary Rhythm: The Art of Ernest L. Blumenschein (Charles M. Russell Center Series on Art and Photography of the American West)

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This comprehensive account of the life and work of one of the founder members of the Taos Society of Artists demonstrates the artist's role not just in Taos or Western art, but also the influence he brought to bear on the wider American art scene.

The various essays look at the artist's background, his early work as an illustrated, and his development as a painter. They consider the influences on his work including his musical training, and his part in the preservation of the American Indian culture.

This is a substantial, authoritative and well documented study. The book includes a chronology, bibliography, exhibition check-list, copious notes to the text, and a full index. It is also well illustrated with around 100 full colour plates of the artist's not too prolific output, along with numerous monochrome pictures and photographs.

This substantial tome is beautifully designed and produced, and claims to provide to most comprehensive assemblage of the artist's work ever published. It is certainly a handsome and informative book.

I was initially disappointed with this book as I felt there weren't enough quality paintings represented. But as I scanned the text I learned that Blumenschein wasn't as productive as some artists. He would actually work on some of his paintings for ten years or more. But what Blumenschein lacks in quantity he makes up for in quality. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of large reproductions in this book, I was just surprised at the non-uniformity of the painting.

While it is true that the overall quality of Blumenschein's work is a bit uneven his best paintings really are works of genius and I can't imagine not having this book in my collection.

If you love paintings that use thick, rich paint this book is a must.

This is a wonderful book! The illustrations are many, large, clear and of very good color. I'd say this book is a must have for any Blumenschein fan!

This is a very comprehensive & thorough review of Blumenschein's work.
Although it is not a "Catologue Raisone" , it is probably as close as you are going to get. It covers much information besides his Southwest period, which is very interesting. If you like Blumenschein's work, this is a must have.

Illustrated with vintage black-and-white photographs as well as copious full-color artwork, In Contemporary Rhythm: The Art of Ernest L. Blumenschein collects the work of one of the founders of the Taos Society of Artists, Ernest L. Blumenschein (1874-1960). In Contemporary Rhythm not only showcases Blumenschein's critically acclaimed work, but also contemplates the history and inspiration behind his creations in the exhaustively in-depth text. A welcome addition to public library as well as private artbook collections.