Monet: Nature into Art [Paperback]

John House (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 1988

Analyzes the career of the artist responsible for the public image of Impressionism, focusing on the evolution in Monet's painting technique and execution and relating it to his ideas, experiences, and the contexts in which he worked.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

House's thorough study of Monet's working methods reveals that the impressionist nature-poet searched in a calculating way for suitable subjects to paint, even relying on travel guides for leads. Though Monet liked to present himself as a solitary hermit, he dominated the Paris art world and kept in touch with writers and artists. For patrons and buyers he would turn out an occasional still life to make a quick sale, and some of these, like Chrysanthemums (1897), were masterpieces. This handsomely illustrated monograph argues that Monet's preoccupation was capturing a scene's essential unifying atmosphere. In quest of this elusive goal, the artist would rework a canvas for months, whether outdoors or in his studio. House demonstrates that impressionism's apparent spontaneity belies its studious craftsmanship.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Monet expert House's fine account of the artist's career not only enchances our knowledge of Monet but furthers our understanding of Impressionist painting as well. In focusing on the evolution of Monet's technique, work methods, and marketing strategy, he demonstrates how the resulting art was based on continual experimentation and careful planning. This well-illustrated study examines Monet's concern with effects of light and atmospheric harmonies and his changing approach to contemporary problems. Other topics discussed include choice of subjects and development of series, pictorial composition, surface, color brush work, open air versus studio painting, and attitudes to and practice in finish and exhibition. The color plates are excellent, the black-and-white vary. Recommended. Robin Kaplan, M.L.S., The Information Group, Los Angeles
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (September 10, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300043619
• ISBN-13: 978-0300043617
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,970,716 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is what art criticism should be like., April 6, 2000

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[e-mail] - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monet: Nature into Art (Paperback)

This book is unbelievable in its thoroughness. I read the book over 10 years ago, and I have never read another art book to match it.

This books shows what happens when an inquisitive mind investigates art. It answers not only any question that you had about Monet's art, but even those that you never thought of asking.

For example it addresses the signficance of the expansion of the French Railway system, and the growth of the middle class, in defining the market for art.

It addresses the canvas sizes used by Monet, and his progression from a history painter to a painter of genre paintings ( the one thing that he had in common with Degas ).

I think that the important thing about this book is that it shows that a thorough intellectual non-purely visual approach can be made to the analysis of art, without the use of artspeak. The result is a book that is both readable and informs. Oh what a novelty!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Rather Poor Reproductions, October 18, 2005

By 

Joseph Reader (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monet: Nature into Art (Paperback)

An earlier reviewer made some very nice comments about the text of this book--something I'm unqualified to address because I did not read the words. My focus was on the paintings themselves, which are not well reproduced here. I have seen these same paintings in other books, and the paintings are indeed beautiful. Here, however, the colors are washed-out. If you just need a general representation of Monet's paintings, this book might do. But if you want a much truer view of these great works, look elsewhere.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Text, Okay Reproductions, May 8, 2011

By 

Colorist (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Monet. Nature Into Art (Hardcover)

A fine book, well organized, very informative and in chronological order. Reproductions are okay to good, with pertinent black and white photographic side notes.
It would be, and was used, as a good basic textbook with the exception of the last part of his life that seems sparse in contrast to the rest. This part concerns some of his major innovations that are not really explored with their relevance to art today barely touched upon. Few illustrations in this area, but very good up to this point. Nothing a good basic picture book as a supplement could not fix.