What Makes a Van Gogh a Van Gogh? [Paperback]

Richard Muhlberger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1993

Explores such art topics as style, composition, color, and subject matter as they relate to twelve works by Van Gogh.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

One of six introductions, co-published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, following painters' lives and the development of their work through a dozen key paintings. Integrating germane personal details into a lucid and intelligent discussion of such influences as Van Gogh's surroundings and the other artists he admired, Mhlberger follows his evolution from The Potato Eaters to the ominous Crows over a Wheatfield, presaging the artist's imminent suicide. A variety of portraits, interiors, landscapes, and flower paintings makes an excellent basis for presenting the artist's concerns, techniques, and uses of color. The book concludes with a five-point summary--in response to the title- -that seems over-simplistic compared to the carefully structured text (``2. He laid down thick layers of paint''), but that's a small flaw in an appealing and useful book. The sturdy paper binding shouldn't present a problem, but placing a pocket will be a challenge. Also available, by the same author: Brueghel; Degas; Monet; Raphael; Rembrandt. (Nonfiction. 9+) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (October 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670851981
• ISBN-13: 978-0670851980
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,489,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Series, January 30, 2010

By 

someone (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What Makes A Van Gogh A Van Gogh? (Hardcover)

Great series! They have more artistic information than we had expected.
These books were like have our own tutor on each of the artist and their technique.
We got more than we bargained for.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very useful -- TONS of color photographs, January 10, 2012

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Makes A Van Gogh A Van Gogh? (Hardcover)

This book offers you color photographs and close-ups of Van Gogh's work. It does a very good job with the text/biography and the descriptions of art techniques. It was very useful for showing different portraits... for showing up close the chunky painting styles, and for giving lots of examples of thick, chunky brushstrokes.

Great resource -- it will make you smarter.

The artwork includes:

The Potato Eaters
The Potato Peeler
Peasant WOman Cooking by a Fireplace
Self Portrait with Grey Felt Hat
Self-Portrait in Front of an Easel
Portrait of Pere Tanguy
Vincent's House
Sunflowers (blue background)
Sunflowers (yellow background)
The Cafe Terrace at Night
Harvest at La Crau
The Bedroom
Gaugin's Chair
The Chair and the Pipe
L'Arlesienne
Cypresses
The Starry Night
First Steps
Crows Over a Wheatfield
Irises
The Bank of the Oise at Auvers