Customer Reviews

Cy Twombly: A Monograph

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Basically, works on Twombly seem to come and go out of print, and become rather pricey collectors items quickly. This book contains an excellent selection of reproductions, including foldouts, of all phases of his career. The only thing that prevents this from being a five star book is the rather pedestrian (although well researched) text, in the usual obfuscating artspeak that passes for deep insight today. The out of print Varnadoe book from the major restropective of the 90's has a far more lucid outline of the works in question...but, really, you're probably buying the book for the reproductions anyway, and there are plenty of them, including some nice full page close up details of the often massive works. Not an inexpensive book, but well worth it for anyone interested in this "painter's painter" works.

Cy Twombly is an artist who remains on the playing field, creating much the same type work over the years, yet still inspiring artists and audience alike. There is something gloriously spontaneous and innocent about his seemingly random 'scribblings' on canvas or paper. Perhaps he connects with the nascent artist in each of us: 'if this man can do this, I could, too!'

Perusing this well constructed monograph quickly suspends delusions of being able to recreate Twombly's art. In generous foldout pages and richly reproduced examples of works from 1950 to the present we find hints of symbols, fragments of words that hold as much mystery as cave paintings or hieroglyphics, just variations on themes that serve to nurture excitement for the idiosyncratic work of this fine artist.

The visuals are what make this book. The essay contributions by Richard Leeman who wrote his doctoral dissertation on Twombly are a bit on the dry side but as secure information as one is likely to find on this fascinating artist. Highly Recommended for all who have fallen under the spell of Twombly. Grady Harp, December 05

Cy Twombly is the typical "my-kid-could-do-that" artist...and yet being face to face with one of his best paintings is always a mysterious, entrancing, exhilarating experience. This book, through its many high-quality reproductions (close-ups even succeed in rendering the thick brushstrokes, a trademark of the artist), manages to convey some of this experience to the reader. It is a very well written work which deciphers Twombly's art better than any other publication on the artist as far as I know (I own more than 20 books on the artist...).
I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the work of this great artist.

This is the best book on this major contemporary artist and belongs in the library of anyone at all interested in his work. Truly exceptional illustrations of many works in large format, with over 300 plates, virtually all in full color (!) including fold out pages showing close-ups of some of his paintings, allowing one to see individual brush strokes, pencil marks, etc. The reproductions extend to the edge of the page in many instances; the detail shots are particularly rewarding.

When this first came out, it seemed fully priced at $75 after Amazon's discount. In retrospect, it was a bargain and if you can get one of those copies offered at $100 now, new in hardcover, this reviewer would suggest you consider its purchase. The French edition is currently offered at $500 and more. Books on Cy Twombly wind up selling at high prices, as O.D.Jones pointed out in his review. I suspect this is a book like the Guggenheim's tomes on Roy Lichtenstein, Ellsworth Kelly and David Smith that not long after going out of print (and being recognized as the best book on a major artist) wind up selling at large premiums to their original price.

This is not a book which is bought for the text, which yields space to allow more illustrations. Good idea. You can read the Varnedoe book if you want insight and in depth analysis; he's one curator/critic who actually made sense when he wrote and is sorely missed for that reason. Buy this book principally for the aesthetic delight of looking at the work.

Cy Twombly: A Monograph is
a stunning exciting presentation of a still very fresh stunning and exciting artist.
I keep discovering new and wonderful aspects to Twombly's work every time I look through
this publication. Buy one while they're still around. (as well as Cy Twombly Fifty years of work On Paper").