Impressionism and Post-Impressionism at The Art Institute of Chicago [Hardcover]

James N. Wood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 21, 2000

The Art Institute of Chicago owns one of America's finest collections of Impressionist art, and its greatest masterpiecees are now brought together in one volume.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In his introduction, James N. Wood, director and president of the Art Institute of Chicago, credits Chicago's art patrons and civic-minded leaders with the foresight to create the museum's world-renowned impressionist and post-impressionist collections. The 147 paintings, drawings, prints, and sculptures are presented chronologically and in full color. Brief descriptions by art historians, accompanying each illustration, point out details that may not be obvious to a casual viewer and also concentrate on the influences of other artists as well as interactions among artists. Libraries that have Richard R. Brettell's three-volume set French Salon Artists, French Impressionists, and Post-Impressionists (Abrams, 1987. o.p.)Dwill find a lot of overlap; however, this volume is international in scope, especially with its inclusion of American impressionists, and does provide a good overview. Since these seminal works have such universal appeal, this publication is recommended for general collections and will be most appreciated by visitors to the museum.DJoan Levin, MLS, Chicago
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Hudson Hills Press (March 21, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865591768
• ISBN-13: 978-0865591769
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 11.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,313,495 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Impressionism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very nice, if it's what your looking for, March 6, 2009

By 

Cheri - See all my reviews

This review is from: Impressionism and Post-Impressionism at The Art Institute of Chicago (Hardcover)

Just exactly as described in summary. A LARGE collection of paintings from the Chicago Art Institute with short blurbs on each one.

PLUSES
- The blurbs are interesting info & help bring the paintings to life. For instance, for Degas's two dancers it comments that the models who posted were older than Degas choose to paint them. Also that he used the same yellow undertones of the background in the skin tone of the girls. When looking at the photo this warm comes through & makes it special & this comment brings attention to why. The descriptions add a great deal of value, while not eliminating room for the paintings themselves or overwhelming with text.

- Large number of paintings, & photos are ample sized on the page.

MINUSES
- There is a slight lack of crispness to the prints of the paintings, so they don't "pop" off the page the way they could. If you've seen the painting already, you'll project in the clarity. If you haven't, it's hard to appreciate the details of the brush strokes in the originals, or how beautiful they are in person. The cover page is more impressive, large & vibrant than the inside shots.

- It's specifically only works from this museum. Many of the famous & prettiest impressionist works are elsewhere (Europe), for instance Van Goghs "Irises" or Renoirs "Parisian Scenes". So, if you are looking for an overview or appreciation of impressionism, it's a little limited. It does effectively cover many of the techniques & concepts of impressionism well in the scope of paintings.

I was getting it for a 6 year old who notices artwork. If I were to go back to researching, I'd find a book not specific to a museum but rather to the genre so it included more of the outstandingly famous works.

- There are no other close ups crops such as the cover page is. The cover is just one face out of an entire painting. That would make an interesting book.

SUMMARY
I paid around $15 which is much less than many list for, & it was in great condition. Maybe for $30 for a like-new, it would have popped better on slightly starker white paper, but I doubt it.

I'm pleased with the book & the six year old is glowing about her "grown-up" pictures to look at. When I visit her I'm going to take time to read the blurbs & learn.