Sister Wendy's American Masterpieces [Hardcover]

Wendy Beckett (Author), Maxine Lewis (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 12, 2001

An unsurpassed anthology of paintings by a remarkable collection of artists. One of the world's best-loved art historians, Sister Wendy Beckett combines her considerable knowledge of art history and modern art with her unique powers of observation to create an unrivaled personal anthology of over 115 of the greatest masterpieces in American painting. From Albers and Audubon to Warhol and Wyeth, the artists are arranged alphabetically, each represented by one or two key works. Homegrown American favorites, such as Homer and Hopper, are presented alongside pioneering Europeans who became active in the US, including Duchamp, Hockney, and De Kooning, to create a striking juxtaposition of artistic styles and achievements. Illuminating Insights include: White Flag by Jaspar Johns, Early Sunday Morning by Edward Hopper, Blue Poles: No. II by Jackson Pollock and M-Maybe (A Girl's Picture) by Roy Lichtenstein are among the icons of American art featured in this broad-ranging collection. Sister Wendy Beckett offers fresh insights into even the most famous paintings, superbly chronicling the key movements, developments, and artists in the history of American paintings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Her sincerity is radiant. (The New York Review of Books)

About the Author

Born and raised in England, Sister Wendy Beckett entered the Roman Catholic order of the Sisters of Notre Dame at the age of 16. After her novitiate, she graduated with highest honors from Oxford University. Utilizing her degree in English literature, she moved to South Africa to become a teacher and, later, university lecturer. She was Reverend Mother of her convent when she was stricken with epilepsy. Granting her wish to lead a less hectic life, her order allowed Sister Wendy to return to England to live in seclusion under the protection of the Carmelite Order. From her cloister, Sister Wendy led a life of contemplation and prayer, taking on translation projects to pay the bills. After completing a five-volume collection of translated medieval Latin sermons, she asked to study art with the idea of producing a book which would help bring in some money to the Order. She began her study with library books and postcards of art works donated by various museums, eventually publishing a book of art history. A BBC producer stumbled across her writing and thought her "bizarre wit and contemplative insights" would come across well on television. She was invited to be the art critic for a documentary on London's National Gallery. In Sister Wendy's words, "...from that wretched book, it was downhill all the way." Sister Wendy's Odyssey proved to be a smash hit. There followed a journey to Europe's finest galleries in Sister Wendy's Grand Tour. Finally, her magnum opus, Sister Wendy's Story of Painting, and her companion art book caused a sensation on both sides of the Atlantic. She has since written more than a dozen books on art, prayer, love, and meditation. Sister Wendy currently lives in a trailer on the grounds of a Carmelite monastery in Norfolk, England, where she continues to live a secluded and disciplined life of prayer and contemplation in which art plays a major role.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (March 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789459582
• ISBN-13: 978-0789459589
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 10.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,370,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Tripe, December 15, 2011

By 

Larkin Vonalt (Livingston, MT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sister Wendy's American Masterpieces (Hardcover)

Honestly, why would D-K even publish this book? While I understand that it's just the (ahem) "considered" opinion of one lowly nun, her interpretations of the paintings are absurd. Don't waste your money. Let the work speak to you, and you decide what the painter was trying to convey.

9 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sister - were is Trumbull???, June 25, 2002

By 

John P. Irish (Bridgeport, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sister Wendy's American Masterpieces (Hardcover)

The fact that John Trumbull's "Declaration of Independence" is not included in this book, shows a serious problem in this collection. What is the defining moment in American History? How about that event that started it all? This is one of the most important pieces of art in American History from many perspectives. Too much abstract artist included in this collection, with some of the biggies left out - decent book, but with several flaws.