Willem de Kooning: Paintings
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,History & Criticism
Willem de Kooning: Paintings Details
From Publishers Weekly Abstract expressionist Willem de Kooning turns 90 this spring, and this handsome catalogue of a large retrospective at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., (which later travels to Manhattan's Metropolitan Museum) celebrates his virtuosity and ever-changing idioms. Aided by 80 color and 50 black-and-white plates, exhibit curator Prather presents commentaries on specific groups of paintings, such as the somber, enigmatic male figures from the 1930s, the urban and pastoral abstract landscapes of the '50s, the blossoming fields of color from the '70s and the feathery, luminous abstractions of the mid-1980s. Sylvester, an art critic, examines de Kooning's indebtedness to cubism as well as his influence on such artists as Joan Mitchell and Francis Bacon. Shiff, an art history professor at the University of Texas, provocatively explores de Kooning's preoccupation with certain recurring body features--eyes, mouth, breasts, genitals, feet--and shows how he fused the clasical tradition of nudity with contemporary styles in advertising and pop imagery. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. Read more From Library Journal Arriving in the United States as an illegal immigrant from Rotterdam in 1926, de Kooning became one of the most influential American painters of this century and a pioneer of Abstract Expressionism. This handsome catalog of 76 major works chronicles over 50 year of the artist's slashing style and shows how he freely moved between figure and abstract painting, changing focus throughout his career and often blurring the line between the two. David examines de Kooning's indebtedness to Cubism and influence on such artists as Francis Bacon and Joan Mitchell, Richard explores recurring themes and iconography, and Prather comments on groups of paintings from the 1930s to mid-1980s. This is de Kooning's best show ever. Essential for academic and museum libraries.Russell T. Clement, Brigham Young Univ. Lib., Provo, Ut.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. Read more
Reviews
This is probably the best book about Willem De Kooning on the market. Along with a multitude of color plates David Sylvester offers historical, technical, and philisophical insights about Willem De Kooning and his life works. The large format makes viewing the artists works very enjoyable. The reading is not overly complicated as it paints a full portrait of the artist, his accomlishments, his techniques, and also offers an approach to understanding the significance of his work. A must have for any De Kooning, or Abstract Expressionist enthusiast.