Master Paintings in the Art Institute of Chicago [Hardcover]

James Cuno (Compiler)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0300151039 | ISBN-13: 978-0300151039

This revised, expanded, and redesigned edition of a best-selling book from the Art Institute of Chicago features many favorite paintings from the collection—approximately 150 works from Europe and the Americas, ranging from the 15th to the early 21st century. Twenty-three images from the previous edition have been replaced with other key or recently acquired works, and the majority of the text entries have been updated. Celebrated artwork by Impressionists and Post-Impressionists like Renoir and Seurat join paintings by Old Master artists like Rubens and Rembrandt; works by 18th- and 19th-century American artists including Copley and Whistler appear with recently acquired paintings by Lichtenstein and Twombly—works displayed in the museum’s new Modern Wing (opening spring 2009).

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James Cuno is President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Art Institute of Chicago (May 12, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300151039
• ISBN-13: 978-0300151039
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 11.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take the collection to your home, July 26, 2000

By 

BErdogan (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Master Paintings in The Art Institute of Chicago (Hardcover)

This is a great coffee table book that includes many important paintings of Art Institute of Chicago. All the images are in color, and the story of each painting and the artist is given. Each painting is described on a single page, and therefore the pictures are sufficiently large and detailed. The book starts with 15th century religious paintings, and progresses to include well known impressionist paintings such as Seurat's Sunday on La Grande Jatte and Renoir's Two sisters. It also has a section on 20th century paintings. Not a substitute to seeing the actual works, but it is close...

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding introduction to the history of art in general, February 21, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Master Paintings in The Art Institute of Chicago (Hardcover)

The Art Institute of Chicago houses a world-renown collection of artwork that spans the complete and diverse spectrum of six centuries of painting. Now in a revised and expanded second edition, Master Paintings In The Art Institute Of Chicago organizes and showcases 149 major paintings (like the Insitute itself) into European, American, and Twentieth-Century categories. This outstanding introduction to the history of art in general, and the Art Insitute of Chicago's impressive collection in particular, would grace any personal, academic, or community library artbook collection.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worldclass City - Worldclass Museum, May 26, 2009

By 

dream factory (Triangulum, M33) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Master Paintings in the Art Institute of Chicago (Hardcover)

Oh sure you have your Louvre & MOMA. But the city of big shoulders presents a formidable art museum in the Art Institute.

From it's beginning it was intended that the Art Institute collect actual masterpieces in all periods and styles. And a visit to the redesigned museum proves that the founding fathers wish has been fulfilled.An international success story which slowly collected awe inspiring works of art from around the world and through the various ages.

Cezanne's dynamic 'Basket of Apples'.
De Kooning's breakout 'Excavation'.
A monumental Clifford Still.
One of Chicago's very own, Joan Mitchell 'City Landscape'.
Another Chicagoan's Leon Golub, (hard to look at) Interrogation II.
Two iconic Parisian compositions:
........Lautrec's 'At the Moulin Rouge' (yea-that green face)
........Caillebotte's 'Rainy Day' (ya-perferct symmetry).
Matisse considered 'Bathers By a River' as his most pivotal work.
Picasso's 'The Old Guitarist'. You know, the bent old blue guy. See here art students, he painted it at the age of 22 (get busy).
The envy of all art museums; Seurat's 'La Grande Jatte'.
And super mastepiece; El Greco's 'Assumprtion' (WOW).
Maybe not the best Pollack or the best Gauguin. But they make up for it with Monet, Van Gogh,Rembrandt, Rubens,Manet and Jasper Johns.
Oh did we mention Hooper's 'Nighthawks? (Gotcha).

Ten years since their first Masterpieces book. The Art Institute has put together a wonderful book containing hundreds of high quality reproductions. Reflecting the Institutes vision and ambition.

Update 1/31/2010: I think Amazon has bunched this 2009 edition with the previous 2000 edition. Im not positive so check before you buy. Looked through it again today. Fresh elegant book. Nice gift. Thanks!