Matisse on Art, Revised edition (Documents of Twentieth-Century Art) [Paperback]

Jack Flam (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Documents of Twentieth-Century Art | Publication Date: July 24, 1995

The major writings of Henri Matisse (1869-1954), with the exception of the letters, are collected here along with transcriptions of important interviews and broadcasts given at various stages of Matisse's career. Jack Flam provides a biography, a general introduction that addresses the development of Matisse's aesthetic values and theories, and a critical introduction for each text.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Flam here mixes Matisse's own words on art gleaned from "major writings, interviews, and pedagogical comments" with his own discussions on Matisse and 52 black-and-white illustrations of Matisse's work. This "well-documented and clearly written source book will appeal to art specialists and laymen alike"
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"The publication of this anthology of forty-four of Matisse's 'writings' on art is long overdue and should prove to be an extremely useful and popular addition to the growing documentary literature of twentieth-century art."--John Hallmark, "Burlington Magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; Revised edition (July 24, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520200322
• ISBN-13: 978-0520200326
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #350,072 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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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 A very interesting book., August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Matisse on Art, Revised edition (Documents of Twentieth-Century Art) (Paperback)

Here are compiled the writings of and interviews with Matísse. It is not only about his estethic concerns but also about his feeling for life. The latter was his underlying motif in his paintings. This book is very interesting also for people without artistic concerns since Matísse here conveys his fine-tuned philosophy of life. A highly rewarding book that one can return to many times.

Mats Winther

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars not looking but listening, July 26, 2000

By 

marzipan "panchild" (Greenwich, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Matisse on Art, Revised edition (Documents of Twentieth-Century Art) (Paperback)

Painters are often their own worst enemies when speaking about their work, obscuring rather than enlightening. But not Matisse. The intelligent and painter knew the trap that speaking of his art could be, yet his own comments on it are intelligent and illuminating. This book is fine reading that's a help to the working painter, as well as the viewer. You'll look at Matisse's great paintings with a fresh eye after reading it. And that's what matters.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Matisse Opens the Way, January 26, 2002

By 

Stephanie Rose Bird "conjurer2" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Matisse on Art, Revised edition (Documents of Twentieth-Century Art) (Hardcover)

If you want to extend the boundaries of ordinary perception, in order to produce unique, distinctive visions read "Matisse on Art." It is a critical piece of literature written by a masterfully innovative painter. I recommend it as a professional artist for nearly 20 years and as an art professor.