Edward Weston: Photography and Modernism [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Theodore Stebbins (Author), Karen E. Quinn (Author), Leslie Furth (Author), Edward Weston (Author), Boston Museum of Fine Arts (Corporate Author), Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Corporate Author), Cleveland Museum of Art (Corporate Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1999

This third and culminating volume in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts' series on Edward Weston examines his role in the modernist movement. Comparative illustrations of work by Picasso, Brancusi, O'Keeffe, Pollock and other artists are included to provide a deeper understanding of these influences. Following an introduction by Theodore Stebbins, three sections of photographs with accompanying essays demonstrate the entire range of Weston's work: still lifes, work from the Mexican period, his landmark work with shells and peppers, small-format portraiture and fragmentary nudes, the classic 1930s series of nudes and dunes, and his late, abstract landscapes. This catalogue features many previously unpublished photographs from the Lane Collection. Vintage prints - all printed by Weston himself - were used to create the tritone reproduction throughout the book.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Theodore Stebbins is a leading authority on 19th and 20th century American painting and photography and curator of American paintings at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, USA.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 229 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch Pr; 1st edition (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082122588X
• ISBN-13: 978-0821225882
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,390,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautifully printed - nicely selected works, May 31, 2000

By 

Becky Senf - See all my reviews

This review is from: Edward Weston: Photography and Modernism (Hardcover)

The show for which this book is the catalog was at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston during May of 2000. As a graduate student at Boston University studying photography I found this book to be wonderful - it is beautifully printed, and the scholarship that went into the text and editing really offer insight and context for Weston's photography. He is most well known for works like the one which appears on the cover, but the book includes earlier and later works, and discuss how they relate to the famous ones. Weston was active in the first part of the 20th century, and most of the works in this show were taken in California and Mexico. His photography is beautiful and rich and this book would help novice and connoisseur alike appreciate it more.

4.0 out of 5 stars Photography as art, April 8, 2003

By 

Enrique Torres "Rico" (San Diegotitlan, Califas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Edward Weston: Photography and Modernism (Hardcover)

The fine black and white photography of Edward Weston is featured in this oversized book and is one of those books to viewed over and over.The book also has an extremely satisfying text that highlights some of the phases of his career. The essays lend insight into the man. Of particular interest was the indication that Weston saw his photographic art in the same light as some of the famous Mexican artists of the time like, Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco and others. He strived to have his art looked at in the same light as those in other mediums. He was drawn to these artists, their culture and their works. The after effects of the Mexican revolution, transformed into a cultural renaissance was his palette. Also discussed was his mingling with artists of his times and his reciprocal affect on fellow photographic artist Tina Mondotti. Weston saw and recognized the art in the everyday lives of the the people, heightened during festivals, especially of a religious nature. He particualrly liked the pulquerias. He also was intrigued by the folk art created by common artisans and captured these elements with his lens. Although the book is not limited to his Mexican phase, I found this part of particular interest. There are also paintings that were done by his contemporaries with parallels drawn to his work. His nudes are an exquisite honor to the female body and all it's wonderful curves. There are plenty of nudes featured as this must have been one of his favortie subjects. The early works are featured but his later works are amazing. After 1927 his sojourn to California and his studies of natural forms at the beach and in the sand dunes resulted in some phenomenal images. Also his ability to see erotic imagery in fruit forms is inspiring. If you like the visual arts you will love the works of this master photographer. A great gift book for the camera buff in your life.