Impressionist New York [Hardcover]

William H. Gerdts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1996

Organized geographically -- with chapters on Fifth Avenue and Broadway, lower Manhattan Central Park, the waterfront and bridges, the outer boroughs, and so on -- Impressionist New York chronicles the intersection of the city's history with art history and recaptures the city's romantic past. Sidebars by contemporary writers such as Henry James and Frederick Law Olmsted reveal the pleasures and perils of metropolitan life. Illustrations include paintings by such popular Impressionists as William Merritt Chase, Childe Hassam, and Maurice Prendergast, as well as striking but less-known work by Colin Campbell Cooper and the Canadian David Milne.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The turn of the century in America experienced both the peak of the aesthetics of impressionism and widespread growth in its greatest city--New York. Like the French impressionists in Paris, many American impressionists took to the streets, using the realities of urban life as the subject of their work. An authority on American impressionism, Dr. William H. Gerdts provides a thorough chronicle of this work and the time in which it was painted--one of public consciousness and celebration. The paintings in the book are visions of urban optimism, focusing on buildings, parks, and street scenes. Because many of the buildings in these paintings are no longer standing, this work is a documentary of a time long gone. The book balances text, image, and white space nicely. Throughout the text, sidebars of quotes by the artists and their literary contemporaries offer commentary on life in the city, putting the work in context.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Artabras (November 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896600734
• ISBN-13: 978-0896600737
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,492,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #90 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Impressionism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful art book!, February 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Impressionist New York (Hardcover)

This book will definitely appeal to fans of Impressionism as well as those who live in NYC. This book has wonderful paintings and sketches done at the turn of the century which also includes a bit of history of the artist and/or painting. It is organized by sections such as Central Park, Waterfront, etc. Superb book!