Van Gogh's Van Goghs [Hardcover]

Richard Kendall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998

This work is published to coincide with an exhibition in the USA of a group of Van Gogh's paintings from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. The collection is based on works acquired directly from the artist by his brother. Among the treasures reproduced here are "Potato Eaters", "The Bedroom" "Self Portrait as an Artist", Wheatfield with Crows", and "Harvest". Richard Kendall's essay addresses Van Gogh's major themes and the different phases of his career. John Leighton contributes a history of the Van Gogh Museum and a biography of the artist.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This lavish but manageable book is the catalog for one of the most successful van Gogh exhibitions ever (at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., through January 3, 1999, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art from January 17, 1999, to April 4, 1999). Judging from the haunting, beautifully reproduced paintings and drawings in the book--which range from the iconic to the rarely seen--it is easy to see why hordes of people keep pressing through overcrowded galleries to get a glimpse of the originals. The ones here are all from the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, where most of Vincent's work resides.

Author Richard Kendall does a heroic job of writing van Gogh's tortured story one more time. Few artists have analyzed their own work with the clarity and insight Vincent brought to his. And Kendall relies heavily on Vincent's letters to his brother Theo, giving the reader broad access to the ultimate expert, the painter himself. The wealth of color plates is intoxicating--70 paintings, including The Potato Eaters and other early, gloomy works, a dozen self-portraits, Almond Blossom, Wheatfield with Crows, Butterflies and Poppies, The Bedroom, The Zouave, and The Courtesan (van Gogh's take on a Japanese geisha in full regalia).

It seems trivial to further praise the book's designers for holding it to only 150 pages, but the length makes an important difference. This is a volume that fits comfortably on the lap, to be perused and enjoyed at close range, for hours if you want, and not just displayed in unwieldy glory on a coffee table. --Peggy Moorman

Review

Richard Kendall's graceful essay walks the reader through van Gogh's surprisingly ordinary life as a little-known artist who ultimately made extraordinary paintings... -- The New York Times Book Review, Hilarie M. Sheets

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; First Edition edition (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810963663
• ISBN-13: 978-0810963665
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 11.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #210,592 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #15 in Books > Travel > Europe > Netherlands > Amsterdam
  • #36 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Post-Impressionism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Quality Work!!, August 28, 2000

By 

Jim Brock (Bunnell, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Van Gogh's Van Goghs: Masterpieces from the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Paperback)

I have this book and I am so glad ,I discovered it. I am, a painter,and have always been influenced by Van Goghs work. However most of the books I own do not have very good quality , printing .This book however is excellent! It is very close to , standing in front of the original painting. I would recomend this book to anyone that loves Van Gogh. I am so proud to make this book a part of my art library. Get it while you can!!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Didn't see the exhibit? Read the book!, May 5, 2000

By 

David Brooks (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Van Gogh's Van Goghs (Hardcover)

The next best thing if you weren't able to make it to this record-breaking exhibition in Washington and Los Angeles. This book, an overview of the exhibition, is an extremely thorough and interesting overview of the 70 works on display. But it's more than that. I was very impressed with Richard Kendall's commentary in the book. Not only is this a comprehensive and thoughtful look at the "Van Gogh's Van Goghs" exhibition, it's also an excellent look at Van Gogh's life and career--period. I might have expected this--this major exhibition was superb and this catalogue is a worthy companion. Exhibition or not, this book is first-rate.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT JOURNEY WITH VAN GOGH, November 15, 2001

By 

Claudia Tellez E "Claudia Tellez" (COLOMBIA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Van Gogh's Van Goghs (Hardcover)

One of the best pieces that I ever read explaining paintings along the different periods which were passed by Van Gogh. Also, it gives a complete ride through his life and personality.