Kandinsky and Der Blaue Reiter [Paperback]

Annette Vezin (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

After Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc resigned from the New Association of Munich Artists, they concentrated their efforts on the publication of The Blue Rider, an art journal "with contributions written exclusively by artists" and inspired by "a shared faith in a spiritual renewal of our civilization." With contributors both distinguished and obscure, the journal joined advanced contemporary work and antique folk art. Despite financial problems and politicking between associates, the publication was an enormous success. Unfortunately, the coming of World War I squelched the planning of the next edition, and the first The Blue Rider remained the last. Even so, The Blue Rider and the artists who created it made a lasting impression on art and art journals that followed it. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

The book ably re-creates a herd of highly interesting mavericks. It also has excellent illustrations. -- The Atlantic Monthly

This lavishly illustrated book brings together some of the most vivid and imaginative paintings of a remarkable period of European art history. In addition to great coverage of the work of Kandinsky, it includes some of my favorite paintings by Franz Marc and even obscure works by the 12-tone composer, Arnold Schoenberg. It occupies a place of honor in my living room. -- Another Amazon.com Books Review --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 223 pages
• Publisher: Editions Pierre Terrail; First edition (1992)
• Language: Spanish
• ISBN-10: 2879390400
• ISBN-13: 978-2879390406
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,825,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kind of Blue, October 7, 2002

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Kandinsky and Der Blaue Reiter (Paperback)

"'Der Blaue Reiter' was neither a school or a movement: it was no more than a brief episode in the history of 20th century art." -- From the Introduction

Led by Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc, Der Blaue Reiter lasted just a few months between 1911 and 1912 but attracted such brilliant artists as Arp, Braques, Delauney, Feininger, Klee, Larionov, Malevich, Picasso, and others. This work helped establish or influence Abstraction and the Avant-Garde, and drew upon Rousseau's realism, "primitives," folklore, and other currents. In sum, this "episode" was the foundation for much of modern art in the 20th century.

The book has 180 illustrations (160 in color), and they are sumptuous: Vibrant, textured, full of movement and bold color. Printed on thick luminous paper, this is an opulent book. However, unlike some so-called "coffee-table" books, the scope is manageable, and the text reads intelligently and without hyperbole. Kandinsky is especially well represented here (showing a variety of his styles), and there is an interesting section on his interests in theater and music. Unfortunately, there is no index, and the text could have been longer, but this is an absolutely beautiful collection of paintings. The book has 223 pages, with photo credits that identify the location of the paintings. Very highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful examination of one of the most influential (single printing) art publications of the 20th century, February 21, 2006

By 

Craig Matteson (Saline, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Kandinsky and The Blue Rider (Paperback)

Between December 1911 and May 1912, the Russian Wassily Kandinsky and the German Franz Marc and several of their likeminded friends put together what was to be an ongoing artistic almanac they called "Der Blaue Reiter". However, circumstances only allowed one issue to be published and only two public exhibitions of the artwork. The single publication became wonderfully influential for the rest of the 20th century. World War I not only interrupted the plans for the second edition of the almanac, but with the death of Franz Marc in the war the possibility of continuing "Der Blaue Reiter" perished as well.

Still, the ideas that were expressed during those pre-war years and the artwork produced continue to be discussed and admired. Their power to influence remains even if the most direct consequences that flowed from them have already run their course. This very beautiful book is primarily a place to see the art produced for the almanac and in the group of artists of that time. It is NOT a reproduction of the almanac itself, although many of the pieces published are included here.

The text is quite informative and helpful. However, the art reproductions are the main thing. However, without the historical context provided by the text, some of the power of the collection is lost.

It is a shame that this book is not more readily available.