Van Gogh in Saint-Remy and Auvers

New York. 1986. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 28,5x22. 325p.

Van Gogh's prodigious output of paintings was restricted (unbelievably) to ten years of his short life. This handsome volume concerns the last 15 monthsfrom May 1889 to July 1890the period when he painted masterpieces such as "The Starry Night" and "Wheat Field Under Clouded Sky," and is the catalog of the recent exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum. It is the logical sequel to the stunning 1984 Met show catalog Van Gogh in Arles, also authored by Pickvance. There is a detailed chronology, copiously illustrated, describing Van Gogh's daily life and voluminous correspondence. There are 304 illustrations, including 90 colorplates (in the usual fine Abrams style). Successfully rounding out this work, the author has included his translation of the well-known article by Aurier, the only critical essay on Van Gogh's oeuvre to be published during the artist's lifetime. Art libraries will want to acquire this. Gloria K. Rensch, formerly with Vigo Cty. P.L., Terre Haute, Ind.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.