Van Gogh (Art Masters)

Enrica Crispino

3.88

26 ratings by Goodreads

ISBN 10: 1934545058 ISBN 13: 9781934545058

Publisher: The Oliver Press, 2008

A profile of the life of Vincent van Gogh that also focuses on his art, including the development of his signature technique, the artists and styles that inspired him, and how life events influenced the subjects he selected.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:

Ideal for both introduction and review, the six titles in this series address the individual artists Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh and the art and cultural movements of the Renaissance and Impressionism. The Art of the Renaissance encompasses this extraordinary era of creative vivacity admirably and highlights many of the arts, including architecture, drama, music, painting, sculpture, and weaving. The importance of Gutenberg's printing press is not overlooked. The series was first published in Italy, and the European perspective is evident in this book. Although the High Renaissance is featured, it is not the sole focus as in many American books on the topic. Van Gogh details the artist's short, unhappy life. The text also includes information concerning his painting techniques and themes, influences by other artists of the time, places he visited, and happenings in the world around him.

Organized so that each double-page spread represents a theme that ties into the content, these slim books are packed with relevant and interesting subject matter. With a mix of detailed original illustrations and photographs of exceptional works of art, abundant information is conveyed in the visual images alone. The print size on each page designates the importance of content. Reading the large print will give teens basic knowledge, while the small print is certain to help with the preparation of the most detailed trivia game. These books would be a fine addition to any library or art department collection. -Lynne Farrell Stover. -- VOYA/The Scarecrow Press, Inc. August 2008

From Booklist:

This impressive entry in the Art Masters series spends relatively little time on Van Gogh’s personal information (his death, for example, is easily overlooked within a small box of text), opting instead to place the painter into detailed historical context. Using generous, colorful, and cleanly designed two-page spreads, Crispino situates Van Gogh among other artists within certain time periods and locations, portraying his work and life as a counterpoint to various traditions and trends. Most topics are centered by an original drawing (of, say, the belle epoque or Eiffel Tower) that is surrounded by captioned photographs, paintings, artifacts, and descriptions. Sometimes the relation to Van Gogh seems tenuous, but frequently this grander scope gives readers a palpable sense of his tumultuous world. Most insightful are the sections devoted to individual paintings, for example, Bedroom in Arles; the isolated details draw readers’ eyes to points of interest that are otherwise easy to miss. Consider this worthwhile volume the equivalent of an unusually insightful museum tour guide. Grades 6-10. --Daniel Kraus

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.