Customer Reviews

Gustav Klimt: Modernism in the Making

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

 

 

I really enjoyed the book. Biography and work are handled in a well-balanced way, and the evolution of Klimt's art is linked to his life. The book has several articles, but the sense of unity is kept. The reproductions have good quality (the standard one in these types of books), and it is easy to understand for amateurs. I think it is a recommendable book if you like symbolism and modernism, and also if you would like to have a portrait of Vienna at the beginning of the 20th century.

Frank Whitford's biography is a more comprehensive examination of the social/cultural perspective. Other books examine Klimt's portraits of women and Klimt's landscapes in greater sophistication. The dust jacket, a tension-infused portrait of his friend and muse, "told" me this is a fair and balanced examination of his works and of his views of art. It is. Beware: some material is not appropriate for young children -- and offensive to conservative relatives.

I only have had time to briefly go throught the whole book. Based on the the overall first impression, it is a book I will be using a lot as a reference. There are many variety of subjects and different techniques that will be very helpful for me to check back on as I am working on my own work. I am very happy that I buy this book.