Henri Matisse (Hardcover)

by Pierre Schneider (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
This massive and exhaustive study, generally considered to be the major work on the artist, was originally published in 1984, and has been out of print for 10 years. With 880 illustrations (230 in color) and a new preface, the volume arrives in time for the blockbuster Matisse-Picasso exhibit, currently hanging in Paris and opening in New York in February 2003. While the book has not been re-set, and its newspaper column-like typestting looks boxy and old-fashioned in the age of Quark and Photoshop, the font and lay-out seem appropriate to this book's old-school "appreciation" approach-Schneider starts with particular works, and lets them guide his observations about Matisse's life, surroundings, and ways of working. The result-17 years in preparation, weighing in at 8 1/2 pounds-brings Matisse (1869-1954) and his work into focus with energy and a non-intrusive judiciousness, from early still lives to the stark near color-field-like work of The Conversation (1911) and The Piano Lesson (1916) to the late paper cut-outs including Acrobats (1952). The book's original preface explains Schneider's own working methods (Schneider's new preface is mostly concerned with correcting his earlier version of Matisse's turn to his late style), but it can't quite account for the depth of understanding he is able to convey throughout. Those with serious Matisse fixations will have to pry open their wallets for this one, as it remains essential.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"This mammoth book will be read as long as people are interested in Matisse, which is to say forever."--The New York Times Book Review
-- Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich; First American Edition edition (1972)
• ISBN-10: 0151399956
• ISBN-13: 978-0151399956
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #126,715 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bible On Matisse, October 4, 2002

By	Bruce Loveitt (Ogdensburg, NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Matisse (Hardcover)

I noticed that this is coming back into print in November 2002, so I figured I'd write this review. If you are a fan of Matisse, you should snap up this book. It is an awesome achievement by Mr. Schneider. There is a tremendous amount of biographical data here, as well as a wealth of reproductions- both color and black and white. One caveat, though. This is definitely not for the casual reader! There is a lot of detailed analysis of the paintings included- such things as Matisse's theories on the use of color and shape; the tremendous amount of work and thought that went into each work in order to create color harmony and a balance of all the pictorial elements, etc. Mr. Schneider respects the reader, so some of this stuff can be a real challenge! But I found it very worthwhile! Matisse's paintings are deceptive, at least to the layperson. They seem soothing and simple. Well, I can promise you that after reading this wonderful book you may still find the paintings soothing, but when you realize what went into the process of creating them you will never again think of them as being simple! This is one of those rare books that opens your eyes and makes you look at something in a completely new way.Reviewer Note: Please be aware that the book I am reviewing is the over 700 page book written by Pierre Schneider, NOT the much shorter book written by Mr. Jacobus and only translated by Mr. Schneider!