Gustav Klimt: Painter of Women (Pegasus Library) [Paperback]

Susanna Partsch (Author), Gustav Klimt (Author)

Book Description

Series: Pegasus Library | Publication Date: March 1999

An illustrated volume presenting Gustav Klimt's most important paintings. In particular the author examines the role of fashion designer Emilie Floege and her impact on Klimt's imagery.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Each of the attractively designed, compact, and well-illustrated hardcover books in this series deals with a specific facet of an artist's career. As with any series, the quality of the titles vary-though the translations from the German are all dotted with odd grammatical constructions and the occasional ambiguity. Sagner-Duchting's discussion of Claude Monet's work at Giverny is a good introduction to the artist's important contribution to Impressionism as well as a careful analysis of his great series of grain stacks and water lilies. Partsch focuses on Klimt's relationships with women-both as an artist and as a man-offering a good, detailed account of Klimt and Emilie Floge (a fashion designer and perhaps his true love). The one disappointment is the work on Rodin and Claudel. Schmoll is defensive about the attention and praise given sculptor Camille Claudel in recent years (often, admittedly, at the expense of Rodin). His portrayal of Claudel in this brief book is at times quite negative and at odds with the picture that has emerged from the work of Reine-Marie Paris (Camille Claudel, National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1990). The "Pegasus Library" aims to provide a focused study of one aspect of an artist's oeuvre in an inexpensive format. Previous subjects include Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, and Vasily Kandinsky (all LJ 11/1/94). Although individual titles may be of interest to libraries, the narrow focus and variations in quality make the series as a whole an optional purchase.
Martin R. Kalfatovic, Smithsonian Inst. Libs., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"The books have great subjects--some of the most famous images in all art--and they have something new to say about them...."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Prestel Publishing (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3791320076
• ISBN-13: 978-3791320076
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,989,929 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and informative find, January 4, 2009

By 

K. Petrie (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gustav Klimt: Painter of Women (Pegasus Series) (Paperback)

No area of Klimt's art better displays his true genius than his paintings/sketches of women. His ability to flawlessly capture things such as beauty, sensuality, and love is unrivaled by any other artist. A varied collection of gorgeous pieces are displayed, while a great deal of interesting information provides an even deeper appreciation for the works.

24 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A FRESH LOOK AT KLIMT'S WOMEN, April 18, 2004

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gustav Klimt: Painter of Women (Pegasus Library) (Paperback)

This small volume is almost a tapestry of the vibrant colors the artist used in his unparalleled depictions of women. Termed by some the enfant terrible of turn-of-the-century Vienna, his work nonetheless often represented the confounding relationship between artist and society women at that time.

A lifelong bachelor and known profligate, Klimt was eclectic in his tastes, showering his favors upon wealthy patrons as well as poor models.

Although still a controversial figure, letters that have come to light in recent years allow the author to reexamine Klimt's relationships and offer readers a fresh look at the paintings inspired by these women.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Value, January 5, 2011

By 

Yvonne Wynkoop Bailey (NY) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Gustav Klimt: Painter of Women (Pegasus Series) (Paperback)

This book was a good value for the low price. It gives a fair bit of info on the artist that I wasn't aware of and highlights some of his more familiar works. A nice intro to a more elaborate volume.