From Publishers Weekly
The World of Art formed in St. Petersburg in the early 1890s was a forum for artists impatient with academic formulas and the dominant Itinerant school. They sought a new aesthetic, incorporating traditional Russian forms and decorative elements from Western Art Nouveau. With Sergei Diaghilev a driving force behind The World of Art journal, the group's exhibitions gained prominence. Many artists from this diverse assemblage became extremely influential within Russia, but, excepting Leon Bakst, were hardly noticed then or since in the West. That is a mistake this book attempts to correct. In his introduction, curator and art historian Petrov establishes the historical context, then fills in useful details of the movement, its philosophy and its members. There follow 18 chapters comprising a short biography and plates on selected artists such as Alexander Benois, Konstantin Somov, Valentin Serov (formerly with the Itinerants), Yevgeny Lanceray and later Igor Grabar, Mstislav Dobuzhinsky, Boris Kustodiev, Zinaida Serebriakova and Ivan Bilibin. These biographies are sketchy, dry affairs, anti-climactic and stylistically at odds with the introduction, which itself suffers from awkward prose. While some problems may lie in the translation, the tendency for hyperbole does not. Pity that more care in the concept, translation and editing of this volume is not evident. These fascinating painters, whose collaboration survived until their final show in 1924, deserve more. For now, the uninitiated may at least enjoy the 330 plates (260 in color) for a tempting glimpse into this important period of Russian art. (Mar.) FYI: Also due out this month is The Art of Ballets Russes: The Serge Lifar Collection of Theater Designs, Costumes and Paintings at the Wadsworth Atheneum by Alexander Schouvaloff. 260 illustrations; 215 in color. (Yale, $65 352p ISBN 0-300-07484-0)
Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
In 1899 a group of young artists?Leon Bakst, Alexander Benois, and Igor Grabar, among others?formed a new artistic movement and founded the journal World of Art. The new aesthetic concepts and creative principles had a deep effect on Russian painting but also architecture, poetry, ballet, sculpture, and criticism. These artists were influenced by the Art Nouveau movement in Western Europe and spread their new ideas through the journal. They gave a place of importance to draftsmen, illustrators, and engravers rather than painters. Line was the dominant visual element, not color, and book illustration and set design were ranked highly?as evidenced by the beautiful and innovative set designs made for the Ballet Russe (Sergei Diaghilev edited World of Art from 1899 to 1904). The first 130 pages of this unique history of the movement are devoted to an overview. The next section discusses 18 artists who participated in the movement. It is beautifully illustrated throughout and will prove to be a valuable addition to public and academic libraries.?Martin Chasin, Adult Inst., Bridgeport, CT
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
