The Art of Tom Lovell: An Invitation to History

Lovell's paintings thoughtfully conceived, intensively researched, and superbly drafted reconstruct scenes and stories of the American West and of the Civil War with humanity and imagination. This collection is accompanied by dramatic, story-telling captions and narrative which elucidate the themes and context of the artwork. The art and text make a powerful combination not to be missed by those who love Western art, of course, but also appealing to those whose tastes don't usually turn to that genre. 9.25x12" Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

A commercial artist who started out sketching in the 1930s for pulp magazines, Lovell advanced to the glossier "slicks" in the 1950s and has since specialized in Old West, Plains Indian, and Civil War themes. He here presents from that long career his best canvases, among them his famed depictions of Lee's surrender and the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts' assault (in film, the climax of Glory). His spark of inspiration is usually to visualize an incident he has read of in the journals of the first white explorers and trappers, such as those of Lewis and Clark. Whether it's Clark firing his rifle or Indians encountering a cannon lost by Fremont, Native Americans are generally presented as wary but curious about the newcomers; Lovell puts the warfare outside of the frame. Themes aside, he works expertly with natural color, and though not a modern George Caitlin, his attention to the detail of Indian dress, carriage, and equipage is quite affecting, fully reflective of his respect for the cultures of Apache, Sioux, etc. A rich tribute to a captivating artist who evokes the West's vast landscape and its individual braves and traders in moods of exuberance and perseverance. Should turn heads on the display rack. Gilbert Taylor