Manet

Children's Literature - Barbara L. Talcroft

British art historian Spence brings his expertise to this "Great Artists of the World" series exploring each artist's world, life, vision, and influence in a busy format combining text and reproductions liberally scattered on white backgrounds. This volume introduces Edouard Manet from a prosperous family whose money enabled him to work as he chose. Influenced by realist Courbet, Manet wanted to paint modern life and real people rather than classical or Romantic subjects; despite continual rejections by the Paris Salon, he yearned for recognition from the established art world. Manet painted many portraits and groups using his Parisian friends like Berthe Morisot and poet Stephane Mallarme. Especially interesting are pages about Victorine Meurent, who modeled for his then shocking pictures Olympia and Le Dejeuner sur l'Herbe, depicting nude women not disguised as classical goddesses. Art-lovers will recognize some of the works, be surprised by others, and intrigued by photos like one of a contemporary paintbox with oils in the new tin tubes. Often reviled by critics, Manet was supported by other artists and friends Emile Zola and poet Baudelaire. While he was not an Impressionist, Manet paved the way for those who followed. This series is a contraction in size of an earlier set entitled—"Ticktock Essential Artists," 2009—with some added pages including "Did You Know?" facts, a timeline, artist quotations, analysis of one work (Breakfast in the Studio), lists of museums where Manet's work can be seen, and a bibliography of books and websites. Though the unattractive hard covers make these volumes more durable for libraries, reduction in size has caused crowded pages, very small fonts, and reproductions marred by tight gutters. The extreme difference in price may also be a factor in deciding whether to purchase the old or new series. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft

Children's Literature - Barbara L. Talcroft

British art historian Spence brings his expertise to this "Great Artists of the World" series exploring each artist's world, life, vision, and influence in a busy format combining text and reproductions liberally scattered on white backgrounds. This volume introduces Edouard Manet from a prosperous family whose money enabled him to work as he chose. Influenced by realist Courbet, Manet wanted to paint modern life and real people rather than classical or Romantic subjects; despite continual rejections by the Paris Salon, he yearned for recognition from the established art world. Manet painted many portraits and groups using his Parisian friends like Berthe Morisot and poet Stephane Mallarme. Especially interesting are pages about Victorine Meurent, who modeled for his then shocking pictures Olympia and Le Dejeuner sur l'Herbe, depicting nude women not disguised as classical goddesses. Art-lovers will recognize some of the works, be surprised by others, and intrigued by photos like one of a contemporary paintbox with oils in the new tin tubes. Often reviled by critics, Manet was supported by other artists and friends Emile Zola and poet Baudelaire. While he was not an Impressionist, Manet paved the way for those who followed. This series is a contraction in size of an earlier set entitled—"Ticktock Essential Artists," 2009—with some added pages including "Did You Know?" facts, a timeline, artist quotations, analysis of one work (Breakfast in the Studio), lists of museums where Manet's work can be seen, and a bibliography of books and websites. Though the unattractive hard covers make these volumes more durable for libraries, reduction in size has caused crowded pages, very small fonts, and reproductions marred by tight gutters. The extreme difference in price may also be a factor in deciding whether to purchase the old or new series. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft

Children's Literature - Barbara L. Talcroft

The "Ticktock Essential Artists" series presents six influential nineteenth-century French artists in a busy format combining text and reproductions on white backgrounds. The illustrations are liberally scattered across the pages and include extracted details. In four sections, art historian Spence explores each artist's world, life, vision, and influence. In this volume, young art lovers will meet Edouard Manet who was born to a prosperous family whose money enabled him to work as he chose. Influenced by realist Courbet, Manet wanted to paint modern life and real people rather than classical or Romantic subjects. Despite continual rejections by the Paris Salon, he yearned for recognition from the established art world. Manet painted many portraits and groups thanks to his Parisian friends like Berthe Morisot and poet Stephane Mallarme. Especially interesting are the pages about Victorine Meurent, who modeled for the then-shocking Olympia and Le Dejeuner sur l'Herbe which depicted nude women not disguised as classical goddesses. Readers will recognize some of the paintings shown and be surprised by others. They will also be intrigued by photos like one of a contemporary paintbox with oils in the new tin tubes. Often reviled by critics, Manet was supported by other artists and friends, including Emile Zola and the poet Baudelaire. While Manet was not an Impressionist, his work paved the way for those who followed. Crammed with information and reproductions of varying quality, this fascinating study works best if accompanied by volumes and DVDs showing the artists' work and, whenever possible, trips to museums to see originals; Manet's admirers will enjoy Ross King's The Judgment ofParis (Walker, 2006). Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft