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Editorial Reviews
Review
The book is the clearest, most forceful statement on art by an artist of our time that I have read.
--Frank Getletin (New Republic )
To find a lucid painter speaking lucidly of art is a thrilling discovery...[He traces] the formation of painting from idea to completion, both generally and specifically with a clarity of thought and a precise use of language which should be a very archetypal model for all critics and painters alike. (Virginia Quarterly Review )
A remarkably interesting book, which puts the reader in rewarding contact with a questing mind and a humane spirit. (The Atlantic )
Mr. Shahn "sets forth his views on both the practice and the purposes of art with a clarity, cogency, and incisiveness that any professional writer might envy, and he manages to interweave with this a good deal of interesting material about his own development as an artist, as well as a running summary of his opinions on contemporary painting in general...the book is highly controversial...also highly stimulating. (New Yorker )
In this brilliant book, which brings the many talents of Ben Shahn…into one crisp, clear, unified, astounding career, the primary focus is the exploration and explanation of the relationship between Shahn's paintings and photographs…The first half of the book consists of four exquisitely written essays by Kao, Katzman, and Webster, beautifuly illustrated with superb reproductions of Shahn's photographs and related materials, including detailed notes. The second half is an exhibition catalog with a wealth of quality reproductions of his paintings and photographs.
--J. Natal (Choice )
--Frank Getletin (New Republic )
To find a lucid painter speaking lucidly of art is a thrilling discovery...[He traces] the formation of painting from idea to completion, both generally and specifically with a clarity of thought and a precise use of language which should be a very archetypal model for all critics and painters alike. (Virginia Quarterly Review )
A remarkably interesting book, which puts the reader in rewarding contact with a questing mind and a humane spirit. (The Atlantic )
Mr. Shahn "sets forth his views on both the practice and the purposes of art with a clarity, cogency, and incisiveness that any professional writer might envy, and he manages to interweave with this a good deal of interesting material about his own development as an artist, as well as a running summary of his opinions on contemporary painting in general...the book is highly controversial...also highly stimulating. (New Yorker )
In this brilliant book, which brings the many talents of Ben Shahn…into one crisp, clear, unified, astounding career, the primary focus is the exploration and explanation of the relationship between Shahn's paintings and photographs…The first half of the book consists of four exquisitely written essays by Kao, Katzman, and Webster, beautifuly illustrated with superb reproductions of Shahn's photographs and related materials, including detailed notes. The second half is an exhibition catalog with a wealth of quality reproductions of his paintings and photographs.
--J. Natal (Choice )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 42 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Based on a series of six lectures given by Shahn at Harvard University in the 1950's, this collection gives an overview of Shahn's ideas and opinions on such topics as the education of artists, the creative process, the nonconformity of artists, and appraisals of various modern art movements and artists. Shahn is a surprisingly gifted writer. His arguments are clearly reasoned and his tone is that of an art historian or philosopher. At the same time, the book is an intimate look at Shahn the artist. It is illustrated with numerous pen and ink sketches by Shahn
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Ben Shan's "The Shape of Content" in many ways truly defines the thinking of artists in a time that might be considered the height of modern american painting and art. It is an enormously human and genuine dialogue on art of the fifties. Few books so clearly establish how and why one becomes an artist. It is written with soul, intelligence, and great humanism while totally avoiding the sophistry of the critics and journalists writing about art at that time in American society. A great book!
13 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Phoebe Wray
Format:Paperback
This book is one of the clearest explanations of the creative process of an artist available anywhere. Shahn speaks of painting, of course, but his lucid, interesting text, his ideas and explorations, apply to artists in any field. Highly recommended.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
Decades later Ben Shahn's words still hold relevance for artists in academic settings. I would recommend this book for anyone.
Published 2 months ago by CMK
5.0 out of 5 stars
For the serious artist
I read this forty years ago and, to a young artist it was of use. But, I was not at the stage where I could fully appreciate the depth of Shahn's message (very few young men listen... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Studio Products Inc.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Eggsellent!
Until I read this book, I had never taken an interest in Ben Shahn or his work. Now, I do! He is an artist's artist! Read more
Published 17 months ago by marduignan
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Shape of Content
"The Shape of Content" should be required reading for any serious artist, no matter what the venue. I bought and read this when it first came out and have passed on a few copies... Read more
Published on February 5, 2009 by Rae A. Welch
5.0 out of 5 stars
What is Art?
What's good about this book is that it defines art and discusses what it should be. Shahn says art is conventional and noncomformist, and it should be objective and subjective. Read more
Published on January 18, 2008 by Jane Mess
1.0 out of 5 stars
Slow reading
This book was dull and I would not recommend it to someone who is not a fan of Ben Shahn and his work.
Published on October 13, 2002
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