The Impressionists' Paris: Walking Tours of the Artists' Studios, Homes, and the Sites They Painted [Hardcover]

Ellen Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1999

Travelers who follow the walking tours in The Impressionists' Paris will never see the paintings—or the city—in the same way again. From the historic Paris along the Seine, through the bustling grands boulevards, to the cafés of Pigalle and the dance halls of Montmartre, this guidebook pairs some of the world's most beloved masterpieces with the exact locations where they were painted. Readers follow in the footsteps of the artists from the pont Neuf depicted by Monet and Renoir to the intersection where Caillebotte painted his haunting street scene; from the balcony of the Louvre where Monet literally and figuratively turned his back on the establishment to the Gare St. Lazare, the train station from which he departed for his home in Giverny. Also revealed is the view out Manet's window, where he watched—and immortalized—a one-legged veteran hobbling down the flag-draped street. Period dining recommendations and the addresses of the studios where the painters worked, the buildings where they lived, and their birthplaces and gravesites complement this delightful guide.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

One could hardly visit Paris without viewing the work of the French impressionist painters, whose innovative take on the City of Light left an indelible mark on the art world. This charming little hardcover, perfect for the pocket or backpack, allows travelers to venture beyond the museum walls and trace the footsteps of these great artists, including Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Edouard Manet, just to name a few. Three city walking tours--surprisingly manageable considering the city's size--cover not only the sites depicted in many of their paintings, but also "the studios in which they worked, the buildings where they lived, and--this being Paris--the cafes in which they gathered." Expertly organized and packed with fascinating facts, including topographical and historical notes, detailed city maps and legends, recommendations for conveniently located restaurants, anecdotes about the artists and their work, and reproductions of the paintings, The Impressionists' Paris "brings the museum experience out into the real world, to better appreciate both the art and the city, one through the other." --Stefanie Hargreaves

Review

...this pocketable hardcover book is a small marvel. It is fun to look at and fun to read. From start to finish we are out of school. None of the three comprehensive walks are too long, and the clarity of the maps makes them look even shorter. -- The New York Times Book Review, John Russell

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 102 pages
• Publisher: Little Bookroom (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964126222
• ISBN-13: 978-0964126220
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #322,185 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #55 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Post-Impressionism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars c'est incroyable!, April 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Impressionists' Paris: Walking Tours of the Artists' Studios, Homes, and the Sites They Painted (Hardcover)

If you love Paris and the Impressionists' work this is a must have. Taking the walking tours was the highlight of my last trip to the city of lights. Williams helps you see through 100 years of change into a different Paris.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A work of art, April 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Impressionists' Paris: Walking Tours of the Artists' Studios, Homes, and the Sites They Painted (Hardcover)

There are many books about Paris, many about the Impressionists, and several about Paris and the Impressionists. If you're obsessed with Paris and Impressionism, buy them all. However, if you're not willing to build a new wing for your library, or simply want a book you can actually take with you and use while you're in Paris, this is the one. It's a true gem.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A mirror image of the artists view, March 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Impressionists' Paris: Walking Tours of the Artists' Studios, Homes, and the Sites They Painted (Hardcover)

I think my students will love traveling in the footsteps of the impressionists. Seeing what the artists saw is worth a 1000 words in explaining they why of the subject painted.