Customer Reviews

The Red Rose Girls: An Uncommon Story of Art and Love

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Red Rose Girls is a remarkable book. Alice Carter does a superb job of documenting the lives and careers of Violet Oakley, Jessie Wilcox Smith, and Elizabeth Shippen Green. When the last page was turned I not only had a deep respect for their professional accomplishments but I felt that I had known each of these women personally.

The strength and success of these women artists is an inspiration to everyone regardless of their sex or chosen occupation. The "Red Rose Girls" is a must have for any library. The quality of writing and research in this book makes it hard to put down and I am looking forward to seeing more publications by this author.

The story of these illustrators is wonderful; 3 women who had the talent and tenacity to find a way to become successful professional artists, independent of men at a time when that was near impossible. I love this book for its collection of photographs of the women, their home life, and their art, arranged chronologically, so that it becomes apparent how much they affected and influenced each others work.

My complaint is that the writing is completely preoccupied with the question of the women's physical sexuality. Ms Carter more than implies a kind of polygamous group intimacy and belabors her point by projecting her assumptions into the photographs and writings over and over. And yet there is no basis for this theory, except Ms Carters own idea that no person can possibly have an asexual lifestyle, and because they weren't married, they must have been sexual with each other.

It is entirely possible that some, or even all of the women were sexually involved, but I find that unanswerable question so much less important than the facts of how they were able to avoid falling into social conventions by banding together financially and emotionally as an artistic cooperative, and a family. I wish Ms Carter had spent less time speculating and more time discussing things like what mediums the women were working in, which, oddly, I still don't know after reading the whole 216 pages of this preoccupied and strangely organized book. I am glad to own it for the collection of photos and art work, and for that I give it 3 stars.

It was some months ago when I discovered and read Ms. Carter's lush tale of four intertwined lives. I still remember the regret and exhiliaration I felt on turning the final page.
Not wanting a story to end is perhaps among the higher compliments I would pay to a book, and usually one relegated to a rare work of fiction. In fact, prior to Red Rose Girls, Donna Tartt's masterpiece, The Secret History was my lonely sole contender for this sort of accolade. To add my name to the chorous of other reviews teetered on redundancy, lily-gilding or worse....gushing. But then, we New Englanders are a stiff lot, and loathe to such displays.
It was interesting then, to trip over a Feb. 8th review in which a reader, also from my birthplace, expressed some criticism of Carter's speculation on the probable physical nature of the characters relationship, finding it presumptuous and distracting. (my words)
It was precisely the lack of any undue focus on lesbianism, alongside a riveting collection of photographs, that caught my attention and held it for the duration. Throughout this fascinating account crept a quiet, matter-of-fact, stylistic elegance that kept my attention firmly on the place and the times, on three lives dedicated to art, on four lives dedicated to each other. Brava!

I bought this book with the idea of finding out more of the types of relationships women shared at the beginning of the twentieth century. I was astonished to find more than I bargained for. The Red Rose Girls provided more than insight into these relationships, it also provided a look inside the rise and fall of the progressive and arts and crafts movements. Pre Freud, the relationship of these woman was accepted and cherished as they lived together, and created their art. Post Freud, their relationships deteriorated as did their careers. All in all I found this book extremely entertaining, as well as heartening (a forty year relationship between two of the women) and the pictures are absolutely beautiful. If nothing else, as an art book it is extraordinary.

This extraordinary book combines the traditional biographical format with the visual splendor of color reproductions traditionally found in a museum style art book. "The Red Rose Girls" is in a league all its own, combining history, biography, and art in order to recreate the lives of this amazing group of women. This book brings the reader into the world of these talented artists and goes further to explore the complexities faced by women striving for professional execellence. Carter's book definitely hits the mark, recounting the past and presenting themes that reverberate into present day society. Great!

Some great reproductions here too, of some Pre-Raphaelite-style art from the Philadelphia area about 100 years ago. Violet spent over 25 years painting huge celebrations of the founding of Pennsylvania in the Harrirburg State Capitol. She may not ne Michaelangelo, but is not far behind his Sistine Chapel! This small coffee table book will never go out of style, and does a great job bringing back 3 great lady artists!

Alice Carter has written an incredible story about three inspiring artists. It is ununsual to find a book with such a scholarly, intelligent perspective that is presented with a human warmth and emotional attachment to the individuals that are portrayed. The sensitive approach of the author is perhaps related to the fact that as a young child Professor Carter knew and admired these woman and they served as an inspiration in her life. Whatever the reason, she has crafted an outstanding, beautiful book that will stand as a classic story in the history of art, the struggles of women, and the nobility of the human spirit.

My partner and I are thrilled with this excellent book on these major players in the history of American art and culture. It is an extremely valuable book that brings their remarkable lives to public attention after too many years of neglect. We feel Alice Carter finally does justice to their true story of love and success. These women provided the foundation for so many others in the 20th century and this book finally gives them the recognition they deserve. We love the way the book covers their dramatic struggles to be successful and to have a loving, fulfilling, relationship. The reproductions of their work are some of the best we've seen and there are many images that we've never seen anywhere previously. Only one of us is an artist but we both think that the book will be enjoyed by anyone. It is thoughtfully written and a sensational page turner that we rate at 5 stars.

This is an exceptional book. Carter has meticulously documented three significant women in the history of American art and illustration, Jessie Willcox Smith, Elizabeth Shippen Green, and Violet Oakley. It is a must have for anyone interested in the entwined lives and careers of America's first and most successful female artists as the country entered the 20th century. I found the book to be thoroughly researched and thoughtfully written. The Red Rose Girls does a fine job fully

detailing their outstanding contributions to the art world and of their life long intimate love. Inspiring are the pages upon pages of lavish reproductions which display their paintings, sketches, research materials, and the revealing personal photographs. Carter's complete documentation satisfies my needs as an artist, educator, and as a witness to America's ever changing social history. This book is the definitive account of the Red Rose Girls' role in American art and I am elated for the long due recognition they so fully deserve. You will not be disappointed in this wonderful book.

I loved this book. First, it is a quality book--great paper and color reproduction. Second, it is fabulous to finally have a book centered on some of the great female artists at the beginning of the century. Presentation is lovely, the writing clear and interesting. Buy it!!