Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
This very good reference, directed at collectors and dealers leaves a bit to be desired.,
By Mendicant Pigeon "Mendicant Pigeon" (pdx, or United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: James Ensor - Catalogue Raisonne: Prints: Catalogue Illustrae De Ses Gravures, Leur Description Critique Et L'inventaire Des Plaques/ Geillustreerde ... Plates (French, English and Dutch Edition) (Hardcover)
This very good reference book in approx. 404 pps. with text in the English, French and Dutch languages as befitting a book focused on a Belgian artist, is a 1999 reprint of the 1973 original with the addition of 23 full color prints.It encompasses the print oeuvre of James Ensor (1860-1949) whose eccentric sensibilities disturbed and delighted the public with his often grotesque imagery. The original premise of the book was to rationalize the artists oeuvre which had been subject to two different prior catalogues that sometimes conflicted with one another and included or reinforced errors, as well as overlooking certain material. This folio sized book is printed on thick, high quality kaolin-coated pages which make it a pleasure to leaf through even if the B&W reproductions leave a bit to be desired whether due to the source material or the actual printing process. Unfortunately, only critical information is included relating to medium, plate size and descriptions of known states. Although a discussion of the types of paper these issues were printed on no effort was made to match this information with specific plates. Also, there is almost no accompanying commentary so that the images are just starkly laid out even though they often beg for some explanation. I think I found three prints that discussed the underlying meaning of the depicted scenes. One thinks that it wouldn't have been too difficult to add a bit of context and doing so would have made this book a stupendous addition to one's collection. Interestingly, the book's dust jacket liner notes makes mention of the imminent publication of a definitive catalogue raisonne of Ensor's prints, I can find no evidence of it ever having been printed; although, there is a recent catalogue of his paintings extant. Anyway, this is a worthwhile acquisition for serious print collectors and dealers. Art fans, unless strictly interested in prints, would likely be able to find a more 'arty' book to buy and enjoy. For my money though, this is the one. It made me wish to go forth and acquire one or more of his prints....especially the hand-coloured ones.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
