Degas: Beyond Impressionism [Hardcover]

Edgar Degas (Author), Richard Kendall (Author), National Gallery (Corporate Author), Art Institute of Chicago (Corporate Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1996

This strikingly beautiful book-the first to focus on Degas` late work-presents a new and definitive view of his last decades. Degas played an integral role in reshaping the visual arts at the turn of the century, says Richard Kendall. The artist`s remarkable drawings, pastels, oil paintings, and sculptures involve startling explorations of color, unexpected combinations of technique and media, and a radical reexamination of the human physique.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The art of Edgar Degas continues to captivate art lovers and historians alike. The National Gallery of London and the Art Institute of Chicago have comounted a notable exhibit of late Degas drawings, pastels, sculpture, and paintings sure to please American visitors to the Art Institute late this year. Although the more than 300 high-quality illustrations alone justify the acquisition of this book, this is much more than an exhibit catalog. Kendall (Degas Intime, Univ. of Washington, 1995) methodically debunks two myths surrounding Degas and his work during his later years (1890-1917): Degas was not a recluse, and he did not actively conceal his late work. The author also explores the evolution of Degas's broader technique, choice of heightened colors, and changing subject matter during those later years. Essential for all types of libraries, whether catering to general readers or scholars.?P. Steven Thomas, Illinois State Univ. Lib., Normal
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 324 pages
• Publisher: Natl Gallery of Art (June 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857091302
• ISBN-13: 978-1857091304
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,793,151 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Six great articles and many magnificent plates, October 8, 2004

By 

Craig Matteson (Saline, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Degas: Beyond Impressionism (Paperback)

I was fortunate enough to see this show in London and actually have the article in the Telegraph from Sunday July 26, 1996 that inspired me to see the show. This really beautiful book contains six interesting articles on aspects of the art shown in this event. The first is partly biographical on the last years if the artist's life. I say this because a discussion of the biography must also include some discussion of the art.

The second article discusses Degas' role in the art market in his later years. His current popularity does not give you a proper sense of the complex reactions different portions of the art marketplace and the general population had towards him in his last years.

The third article is a fascinating study of the artist's craft and centers on studies and photographs he used to prepare for his finished and larger works. I remember being very fascinated by the studies while viewing the exhibition.

The fourth article discusses his use of pastels and oils in his later years. Degas was a master colorist and the way he layered his pastels and saturates us with color is still breathtaking. The fifth article discusses his subject matter and how it changed over his last few years.

The sixth article discusses his place in the community of artists and their society in his later years. This is interesting given his reputation as a recluse.

The second half of the book provides full-page plates of the paintings, drawings, sketches, and sculpture in the exhibition. There is also a chronology of his later years, the lenders to the exhibition and a detailed list of items in the exhibition, notes for the articles, and an index.

As fine a book accompanying an exhibition as you will likely find.