Hans Hofmann

Library Journal

Hoffman came to the United States in 1932. His style, influenced by the Fauves, Cubism, and Expressionism, was not fully abstract until the late 1930s. He had his own school of art in Munich, and his leadership of the New York School of Abstract Expressionism had much to do with his teaching in New York City and Provincetown. He is described as painting with gusto, but teaching with ``coolness, precision, and objectivity.'' Vibrant color and rich texture are hallmarks of his work, illustrated here by many color plates. There are also interesting photographs of the middle-aged Hoffman. Goodman is currently organizing a Hofmann retrospective; she does a fair job of explaining his aesthetics to the layperson. For large general collections and art libraries. Hara L. Seltzer, NYPL