Pierre Auguste Renoir

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5These two series entries cover basic biographical information and then move on to discuss the various subjects, styles, and mediums used by the artists. Double-page topic treatments in Picasso range from "Cubism" to "Heavy Metal"; in Renoir, from "Impressionism" to "Old Age." Each spread highlights two or three full-color reproductions of the subject's well-known works or those by influential contemporaries. A "People" section identifies individuals mentioned in the text. Intended for readers with little or no previous knowledge of the renowned artists, the books provide simple, straightforward narratives written in a relaxed style. Occasionally, however, the authors make broad statements about their subjects. For instance, Meadows begins by referring to Picasso as "probably the most famous artist that ever lived," a statement sure to be challenged by Renaissance scholars writing of the likes of Michelangelo and Da Vinci. Similarly, when Parsons discusses style and technique, he concludes that Renoir's work was superior to artists such as Cezanne and Seurat, again a matter of scholarly debate. Nevertheless, the authors do convey an understanding of the ideas that inspired Picasso and Renoir and a sense of their importance in the art world.Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI