Art of Albert Paley (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In work that was extravagant, organic, often reminiscent of the Art Nouveau styles, Albert Paley brought a sinuousness to jewelry and sculpture. In The Art of Albert Paley: Iron & Bronze & Steel, critic and art historian Edward Lucie-Smith assesses the work of this contemporary American artist whose work combines art and craft. "There was a sort of battle going on between the major and the minor arts," recalls Paley of his 1960s arts education. "It seemed to us that creativity alone should be the supreme consideration. We wanted to elevate what was seen as a minor endeavor and make it a major artistic statement." 130 illustrations, 40 in color.

Copyright 1996 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Written with his co-operation and access to his studio, this is a survey of the achievements of the American metal artist and sculptor, Albert Paley. It provides insights into his working methods and a detailed record of his career. Paley's most famous commission, the eight-foot portal gates of the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Instutition in Washington, DC, unveiled in 1974, took him and an assistant a year to complete, and since then he has made architectural sculptures for museums, organization and private clients all over the world. The art historian, Edward Lucie-Smith, discusses the significance and diversity of Paley's achievements, exploring how, like that of so many American artists, his work crosses the boundaries that separate art from craft. The book's illustrations reproduce not only Paley's major works, but also preliminary drawings.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 231 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810937484
• ISBN-13: 978-0810937482
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,301,476 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Nouveau artist of the late 20th century, December 22, 2002

By A Customer

This is the only book that I've come across that presents the full spectrum of Albert Paley's work in crisp B/W and color photographs and that details a biography of the artist. My introduction to Paley came unexpectedly when at a function in the Wortham Center (Houston) I was greeted by his soaring Stairway Scuptures, which are included in this book. Paley goes beyond creating sculptures that stand as isolated works of art. His scuptures enhance the spaces in which they are placed and are themselves enhanced by those spaces. The author does a superb job of describing the experience of entering a vast architectural volume and the impact that Paley's monumental sculptures have by their positions within it. This book is the next best thing to having that experience for oneself. If you love Gaudi and other artists of the Art Nouveau movement, you will thoroughly enjoy this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Art of Alberl Paley, September 20, 2001

By	Thomas S Cole (Lakewood, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

An excellent reference book concerning the work of Albert Paley. This book really drives at the esence of the sculptor's medium. Many fine examples of the artist's work are illustrated in black and white as well as full color pictures. This book does a great job of representing the scale of Paley's later public sculpture pieces and is a must have for any artist blacksmith.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Art of Albert Paley : INSPIRATIONAL, January 24, 2000

By	Metis Black (Colorado) - See all my reviews

One of the most inspirational metal artist's of the century. Very complete in it's cataloging.

Makes you want to go out and pound steel.