Paul Cezanne: A Painter's Journey [Hardcover]

Robert Burleigh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2006 | Grade Level: K and up

Published in association with the National Gallery of Art

In the tradition of DEGAS AND THE DANCE and SEURAT AND LA GRANDE JATTE, a new artist biography about Paul Cezanne.

Filled with Cezanne's paintings, period photographs, and the works of his contemporaries, this picture book biography illuminates the life and art of Cezanne for youngsters everywhere. A great and difficult artist, Cezanne's life and work are easily laid out for children in this important addition to the Abrams collection of picture book biographies. Burleigh tells how Cezanne overcame his father's rejection, critics' scorn, and public indifference to create his art and follow his own inner voice. Children will find inspiration in his story to follow their own dreams and to believe in themselves-as well as learning about Cezanne's major contributions to the history of art.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8–In a conversational style, Burleigh offers brief insights into Cézannes personal life, such as his relationship with his father, who did not support his sons interest in art. However, the emphasis is on interpreting some individual paintings and understanding the artists various styles, including the impact of the Impressionists and his evolution to a freer and simpler manner of expression in his later years. This is all accomplished in a seamless fashion that uses excellent selections as, for example, a comparison of Cézannes and Pissarros paintings of the same scene and several landscapes that were done of Mont Sainte-Victoire in three different decades. Throughout, the author asks readers to reflect on various aspects of the artists works and life. The high-quality reproductions demonstrate Burleighs points. Several photos of Cézanne are included. A solid, lively introduction.–Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. Burleigh offers another fine picture-book biography of an artist, following Seurat and La Grande Jatte (2004) and Toulouse-Lautrec: The Moulin Rouge and the City of Light (2005). Once again, Burleigh uses clear, expressive language to pull readers into the images. Simple observations ("He did not outline each leaf," for example) will encourage viewers to notice and think about the artist's decisions and their visual and emotional impact. Burleigh is a painter himself, and his awe and enthusiasm for his subject ring through sentences that deftly incorporate observations and analysis of paintings, biographical information, and even a few direct quotes from the artist. Archival photos of Cezanne's studio and beloved Provence, along with crisp, amply sized reproductions of the paintings and an appended glossary of art terms, further enhance this accessible, sometimes intimate introduction. Teachers will use this worthwhile volume, published in association with the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., across age groups and the curriculum. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810957841
• ISBN-13: 978-0810957848
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,487,212 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty helpful background for this important artist, June 3, 2007

By 

Lon Welsh "Lon Welsh" (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Paul Cezanne: A Painter's Journey (Hardcover)

Context: I'm not an academic or a scholar; I'm a regular guy who likes visiting museums when I travel and I wanted to do a little researach before I left. This book worked well for my daughter and I to learn more about Cezanne - his life and his work. I'm not qualified to evaluate it from an academic perspective, but as a layman it was generally what we needed for an overview. It's easy to read and has a lot of nice illustrations.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A highly recommended pick for any collection offering kids an opportunity to learn about famous painters, April 10, 2006

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paul Cezanne: A Painter's Journey (Hardcover)

Paul Cezanne grew up in a rural town and received no family encourage to pursue his art, but despite this he was committed to painting and pursued his art with a steadfast vision. Paul Cezanne: A Painter's Journey follows his achievements and life, offering kids in grades 4-6 a little over thirty pages of detail on his life and times. Supplementing this biography are examples of his paintings from all stages of his career, with period photos and works by contemporaries offering strong contrast and background detail. A highly recommended pick for any collection offering kids an opportunity to learn about famous painters.