Men and Angels: The Art of James C. Christensen (Hardcover)

by James C. Christensen (Author), Kate Horowitz (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A major retrospective from the master of fantasy fine art Artist James C. Christensen's keen observation of humanity and endless supply of imagination have made him one of the world's most beloved artists. From his childhood in Culver City, California, to his professional career at Brigham Young University, Christensen has cast his perceptive eye on the world, translating it into engaging and inventive art. Men and Angels is the definitive retrospective on Christensen, who was at the forefront of the resurgence of fantasy-as-fine-art just as Tolkien merged literature and fantasy.

At the height of reactionary pop art, in the 1960s Christensen's classically inspired art was considered a throwback, influenced as it was by such masters as Albrecht Dürer, John William Waterhouse, and Jan van Eyck. Although labeled a fantasy painter early in his career, Christensen grew to defy categorization with his astonishing range of subject matter and style.

The lively text conveys his contagious enthusiasm for art history and his understanding of the evolution of the human spirit through art. This masterly body of work, represented in more than 300 paintings, will be cherished by collectors, educators, and art lovers.

About the Author
James C. Christensen, nicknamed the "Professor of the Imagination," lectures widely on art and creativity, from MBA programs to state art education conferences. The winner of multiple awards from the World Science Fiction Convention and the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists, he is the subject of five previous books including Voyage of the Basset and The Art of James C. Christensen: A Journey of the Imagination. He lives in Orem, Utah.

Kate Horowitz is a writer, poet, and undefeated-at-home Jeopardy! fanatic. She lives with her husband in Connecticut and has recently replaced her lifelong fantasy of joining the circus with that of running away to join the Christensen family.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: The Greenwich Workshop Press (November 17, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0867131020
• ISBN-13: 978-0867131024
• Product Dimensions: 14.3 x 11.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #180,729 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic art book, November 12, 2008

By	Hollis Dolben (Marshfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Every page of this stunningly beautiful book is a delight. It is a gorgeous compendium of Christensen's paintings, each with wonderful color reproduction on heavy paper, and each with interesting stories and comments. Additional sketches are included for some paintings. It would take days to pore over all the details of these curious and involved paintings; they really are mesmerizing. Horowitz has brought this artist and his works to life, making you feel like you've had a long chat and gotten to know him. Anyone who has ever been amused by Christensen's odd bejeweled characters, or fascinated by his beautiful portraits, or entranced by his castles and forests and animals, would just love this book. This is a first rate work.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Splendid Delight, December 30, 2008

By	S. Wilson "Book Sage" (Utah, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was so delighted to receive this gorgeous book as a Christmas present. The exquisite colors, fine quality and highly detailed photographs of James C. Christensen's paintings are a joy to behold. The included notes for many of the paintings increased my appreciation and enjoyment. I have been an admirer of his delightful works for many years. These works, whether a fantasy character, poofy man or more realistic style will leave one feeling inspired & uplifted. This is a fabulous book I will return to again & again.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even better than expected!, December 2, 2008

By	Steel Tulip "The Book Monger" (Utah USA) - See all my reviews

I love James Christensen, so it wasn't a shock when I loved this book! But even I didn't expect so many pictures. There are prints of paintings I have never seen before and many that you couldn't see any other way. And because the book is so large, you can actully see all the little details. This book still has some of his popular fantasy style, but there are a lot of more realistic style paintings that you wouldn't expect from James Christensen. He also tells about the creation of most of his works and dates are given for all of them. The pictures are good quality and the artwork is beautiful! Also the price on Amazon is by far the least expensive you will find. I am extremely pleased with my Christmas present!