Customer Reviews

Max Beckmann

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This book is the catalogue for the largest Beckmann exhibition ever held, in 2003,at the Centre Pompidou, the Tate Gallery and the Moma. All the masterpieces of this great artist are illustrated and explained, following a clear chronology and putting them in the historical and social context in which they were created. High-quality texts (especially the analysis of Beckmann's influence on contemporary artists like P.Guston, or the recurrent presence and meaning of the mirror in his paintings) make this an indispensable work. Highly recommended.

Max Beckmann edited by Sean Rainbird, published by Tate Publishing in conjunction with the Centre Georges Pompidou and the MoMA. ISBN 0870702416 clothbound, ISBN 0870702426 Paperbound. 296pp, 11.5"x9.75" (29x25cm). - Check these details as Amazon sometimes get their cross-listings for other editions wrong.

The dust-jacket flap describes this as "the first comprehensive English language catalogue on the artist published since ... 1984. It contains new research by German, British and American scholars." The book comprises thirteen essays, including several by practising artists; it concludes with an extensive and detailed Chronology, a Select Bibliography, List of Works and an Index.

The many essays make fascinating reading, some deal with more general subjects or a period in the Beckmann's development including the difficult times of his exile; others discuss perhaps a specific work. There are extensive Notes for each essay. It illustrated profusely throughout in full colour (174 illustrations), including many of the drawings; the images are of a good size with many full page or larger. In addition there are 40 black and white illustrations which include examples of the work of other artists, a few of Beckmann's drawings, and many photographs of the artist. The illustrations run with the text and appear on or close to the page upon which they are discussed, this rule appears at time to be followed so closely that some works appear more than once.

It is a very well produced book; the illustrations are of high quality and reveal the texture of the paint surface and the colours are rich and bold. It is a worthy book providing a broad coverage of the artist, his work and his life.

intelligent text and many illustrations, sadly however, none are in color. Beckmann deserves more.