Customer Reviews

The Unknown Monet: Pastels and Drawings (Clark Art Institute)

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This book, the catalogue for a travelling exhibition held in 2007, enables the reader to discover an often overlooked aspect of Monet's art. The drawings and, above all, the pastels shown and explained here demonstrate the artist's mastery of light and color better than his paintings, because they look fresher to us. Some are studies for actual paintings, and others are finished works in their own right. Also described are his many caricatures of the rich and famous of the time, which, to me, were a complete discovery.

A very informative text and high quality reproductions, all contribute to make this book a valuable addition to the literature on the artist.

As a landscape artist, I have studied over and over the angles of his brushstrokes, the juxtaposition of color that defies description. But here, in this book, we find the sketches we know he had to make, the pastels which he loved. The Unknown Monet shows us the foundations, the skeleton, if you will, of the artist's masterworks. He made his fortune with oils, of course. I contend that you cannot say you really "know" Monet without at least an exploration of this book. Highly recommended.

Wonderful volume of works rarely if ever seen, with fine writing about the times and the man. I think the most intimate view of an artist is through his drawings. The beautiful pastels also reveal a distinctive aspect of the artist's huge talent.

I bought this as a gift for a Monet fan and it sits on the coffee table now. Its a well done book, with beautiful large images and interpretations.

I received my book on Monet's pastels and drawings in EXCELLENT condition and in addition is a simply gorgeous book. I'm an artist history major and I had no idea that Monet drew with pastels.

Thank you for the good price too!

Deirdre Dunne