Hans Hofmann (Hardcover)

~ James Yohe (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Nature's purpose in relation to the visual arts is to provide stimulus-not imitation....From its ceaseless urge to create springs all Life-all movement and rhythm-time and light, color and mood-in short, all reality in Form and Thought." -Hans Hofmann

This book is the only comprehensive treatment of one of Abstract Expressionism's most important forefathers: Hans Hofmann. Hans Hofmann attends to every stage of his prolific career. Nearly 300 gorgeous color plates reveal this modern master's extraordinary sense of color: beautifully vibrant greens, rich blues and brilliant reds organized in strikingly powerful patterns. Sam Hunter, Professor Emeritus at Princeton University, writes a substantive essay on every aspect of Hofmann's distinguished body of work. Five important essays by the artist himself are included, revealing his philosophy of art which was so influential to the generations that followed him. Frank Stella, an important painter who deeply admired his work, also contributes an essay.

About the Author

Sam Hunter is Professor Emeritus at Princeton University and an acknowledged expert on 20th century art. His recent publications include Tony Rosenthal; Isamu Noguchi; Modern Art: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture; and Robert Rauschenberg.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 282 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli; Expanded edition edition (February 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847823806
• ISBN-13: 978-0847823802
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 11.3 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #315,896 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five stars aren't enough........., October 2, 2002

By	Ypres1918 (Western Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews

This book deserves 7 stars. The plates are superlative, and the coloration is excellent. Coloration is a problem that plagues most books about Hofmann (among others). His use of reds and magentas can be difficult to reproduce with proper balance. Frequently, the results are that the plates appear somewhat anemic or the reds take on an exaggerated neon character that is hard on the eyes. Here, then, is a feast for the Hofmann enthusiast with nearly 300 pictures, practically all of them in exquisite color. This is an experience second only to actually viewing a Hofmann exhibit first hand. In my opinion, the plates alone make this book a worthy acquisition. But there's more.

Other particulars making this book a great addition to any bookshelf dedicated to Modern Art are five essays by Hofmann on art: "Plastic Creation", "The Search for the Real in Visual Arts", "The Resurrection of the Plastic Arts", "The Color Problem in Pure Painting" and "Sculpture". This is not to mention an excellent Introduction by Sam Hunter and wonderful essays by Tina Dickey and Frank Stella. Of course, there are the requisite features of a monograph: a brief (perhaps a little too brief, but who can complain at this point) chronology of Hofmann's life, and a selected list of exhibitions. Add to all of the above the attractive binding, a sturdy and handsome slipcase (which is what is pictured above), and what you have is a unique and appealing presentation of Hans Hofmann, his life, his work, his thoughts and his place in Twentieth Century Art.

This book is enthusiastically recommended.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True Colors, November 6, 2004

By	John Vliet - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the finest Hofmann book I have seen.

The combination of hue clarity, nuance, and sharp focus of the plates acurately recreates the space of the paintings and really lets them sing.

The brush and knifework, even the weave of the canvases are all crystal clear in the reproductions.

This solidly constructed book is a work of art in itself.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real Gem, January 16, 2007

By	A. McMeekin "Student Artist" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I knew this would be a great book when I ordered it but when I received it I was overwhelmed by its quality, a slip-in hard cover and beautifully bound hard cover book inside.
It containes a large number of high quality colour plates (possibly all his work), and an excellent description of Hans Hofmann's thought processes in the introduction by Sam Hunter and as a bonus, 5 essays written by Hans Hofmann. A real asset for any artist who has an interest in the development and progression of abstract painting from the 1920's to 60's.