The Last Flowers of Manet [Hardcover]

Robert Gordon (Author), Andrew Forge (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1989

In the winter of 1880 Edouard Manet, then 49, was dying. In the last months of his life he funnelled his waning energy into a series of remarkable still lifes - 16 small paintings of flowers - which are brought together in this book. An essay by Andrew Forge pays tribute to the artist's struggle and his legacy, and Robert Gordon's selections from Manet's letters add poignancy to this last glow of a brilliant artistic flame.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This lovely little book offers 16 portraits of floral bouquets done by Manet between 1881 and 1883, when physical decline prevented him from working on the larger, more complex scenes of earlier years. An essay precedes the high quality reproductions, each of which is accompanied by a selection from Manet's letters or other contemporary documents. Suggested for large collections and a treat for smaller ones. Robin Kaplan, M.L.S., The Information Group, Los Angeles
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Harry N Abrams (March 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810914220
• ISBN-13: 978-0810914223
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.7 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #400,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking Mastery, April 15, 2000

By 

Sally Kirk - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Flowers of Manet (Abradale Books) (Hardcover)

During the last months of 1882 Edouard Manet was gravely ill. This was to be the last year of his life. He no longer had the strengh for large ambitious work. With frequent rest periods, he had just completed "A Bar at the Folies-Bergere."

Due to his ebbing energy he began to paint on a smaller scale, simple bouquets of flowers in a variety of glass vases. Often these were the flowers friends brought to the convalescing artist.

"The Last Flowers of Manet" is a little gem of a book presenting 16 of these elegant, magical paintings. There are ethereal white lilac blossoms and slashes of pink peony petals shimmering before rich, black backgrounds. There are roses and tulips in warm, golden shades.

Just as Matisse in his last days could not make a false stroke when creating his cutout compositions, so Manet brings total mastery to these exquisite, soulful still lifes.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Manet's last works are simply perfect!, December 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Last Flowers of Manet (Abradale Books) (Hardcover)

As an art student studying the techniques of the masters, this little book has been invaluable to me. This is for anyone who seriously wants to experience Manet's genius. His little florals leap off the page! The printing is good, too. Faithfully shows detail and tone well. While nothing replaces seeing these works in person, this book is one every artist should have.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Little Book, April 9, 2002

By 

Douglas Moench "F Rider" (Fort Collins, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Flowers of Manet (Abradale Books) (Hardcover)

A wonderful yet small collection of reproductions of Manet's last works. A very great artist, at the end of his days, paints exquisite small works of flowers. What else could you want?