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Compiled by RAYMOND J. STEINER
ART TIMES April 2007

 

ABBEVILLE PRESS: The Art and Architecture of Mesopotamia by Giovanni Curatola. 280 pp.; 9 7/8 x 13; 217 Illus., 188 in Color; Key Sites of Meopotamian Art; Notes & Bibliographjies; Index of Places & Monuments. The Art and Architecture of Persia by Giovanni Curatola and Gianroberto Scarcia. 264 pp.; 9 7/8 x 13; 264 Illus., 248 in Color; Notes; Bibliography; Index of Names, Places, & Monuments. (Each) $95.00 Hardcover. Exhaustively researched, gorgeously illustrated and handsomely produced, these volumes bring to life the rich cultural heritages of Mesopotamia and Persia, ancient roots of modern-day Iraq and Iran. Valuable studies, these timely texts ought to be on the shelves of libraries and schools throughout America. Includes many photographs of modern-day reconstructions and aerial views of sites. Highly recommended. *****

PRESTEL: Gustav Klimt: The Beethoven Frieze and the Controversy Over the Freedom of Art by Stephan Koja. 208 pp.; 9 3/8 x 11 7/8; 216 B/W & Color Illus.; Glossary; Bibliography; Index. $65.00 Hardcover. Using Klimt’s Beethoven Frieze as a focal point, author Stephan Koja explores the ramifications of Vienna’s innovative exploration into what has been called “Art Nouveau.” Lively discussion and a full range of reproductions make for a very readable history of the time, the art, the culture and the leading protagonists on the scene. A beautiful book and an important contribution to art history. *****

YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS: The Art of Lee Miller by Mark Haworth-Booth. 224 pp.; 10 x 11 5/8; 180 Duotone Illus.; Notes; Bibliography; List of Plates; Index. $60.00 Hardcover. Model, photographer, war correspondent, and celebrated beauty, Lee Miller is here celebrated in The Art of Lee Miller. Includes the range of her career, her many accomplishments, an overview of her work, and the many notables in her life including Man Ray, Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Charlie Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich, among many others. A fitting tribute to an extraordinary woman. *****
Salvador Dalí: The Construction of the Image, 1925-1930
by Fèlix Fanés. 242 pp.; 8 ½ x 11 ¼; 140 Illus., 30 in Color; Appendices; Notes; Index. $55.00 Hardcover. From realism to cubism to surrealism, the career of Salvador Dalí has not always been perceived or written about in strict accordance with the facts of his life. Fèlix Fanés here reveals a more complete picture of the man and of the artist, of his beginnings and of his much-celebrated course, of an artist who, perhaps for the first time, is given his real due by a serious scholar. An excellent study and one that is sure to stand as a definitive monograph on Dalí for some time to come. *****
Thomas Chimes: Adventures in ‘Pataphysics
by Michael R. Taylor. 267 pp.; 9 ¼ x 12; 274 Illus., 150 in Color; Notes: Chronology; Exhibition History; Selected Bibliography; Index of Names. $50.00 Hardcover. The accompanying catalogue to an exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (thru May 6), Adventures in ‘Pataphysics takes you on a dizzying overview of the art of a man who has found inspiration from a wide and varied range of sources, including (among others) the writings of Artaud, Joyce, Jarry and the art of Richt4er, Twombly, van Gogh, Eakins and Duchamp. Handsomely produced and lavishly illustrated, this volume celebrates one of our most versatile living artists. *****
Pop Art: Contemporary Perspectives
by Johanna Burton et al. 160 pp.; 7 ¾ x 10 ¼; 141 Illus., 96 in Color; Checklist of Exhibition; Bibliography. $30.00 Hardcover. The first in Princeton University Art Museum Monograph series, Pop Art is published in conjunction with an exhibition at Princeton (thru Aug 12). Includes a sampling of such pop “masters” as Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Indiana, Alex Katz, and others. Hopefully newer additions to the series will bring more serious art. **
Masterpieces from the National Gallery
by Erika Langmuir. 88 pp.; 7 ¼ x 8 ½; 47 Color Illus. $14.95 Softcover. With excellent reproductions and accompanying notes, Masterpieces offers up a tantalizing teaser of the treasures contained in the National Gallery of London. Organized by period, this little volume covers a range of art from 1250 to 1900. *****

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON PRESS: A Time and Place: Two Centuries of Irish Social Life by Brendan Rooney et al. 240 pp.; 8 ½ x 10 ½; 100 Color Illus.; Bibliography; Index. $50.00 Softcover. Published in conjunction with a recent exhibition at the National Gallery of Ireland, A Time and Place offers up some 200 years of Irish social life. Extensively enhanced by scholarly commentary, the book contains excellent reproductions of Irish art and imagery. Sure to be revelatory to many unfamiliar with Ireland’s artistic heritage. *****
George Rickey: Kinetic Sculpture: A Retrospective
by Valerie Fletcher. 120 pp.; 10 x 11; 160 Color Illus.; 3 Gatefolds; Chronology; Bibliography. $40.00 Hardcover. The accompanying catalogue to an exhibition of the same name presently at the Vero Beach Museum of Art (May 20), this volume presents an overview of the life and work of George Rickey. Handsomely produced and illustrated with excellent reproductions — many of the selections photographed in situ. ****
Guercino: Stylistic Evolution in Focus by Shilpa Prasad. 64 pp.; 8 x 10 ½; 45 Color Illus.; Notes; Catalogue of Exhibition. $27.50 Softcover. Although only seven plates make up the exhibition for which this catalogue was prepared (Timken Museum of Art, San Diego), Stylistic Evolution in Focus goes a long way toward showing us why Guercino enjoys the reputation of being one of the leading painters of the “mannerist” school. Scholarly and informative. ****
Norman Lundin: Selections from Three Decades of Drawing and Painting
by Richard V. West et al. 60 pp.; 11 x 11; 54 Color Illus.; Biography. $24.95 Softcover.
The accompanying catalogue to an exhibition at the Francine Seders Gallery, Seattle, Norman Lundin, as its title suggests, offers up an overview of some 30 years of his work. Almost starkly simplistic in their impression, the authors argue for a “deeper” meaning that exists for them. Includes an interview with the artist. ***

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS: Modernism and the Feminine Voice: O’Keeffe and the Women of the Stieglitz Circle by Kathleen Pyne. 378 pp.; 8 x 10; 166 Illus., 97 in Color; Notes; Index. $34.95 Softcover. An in-depth and close-up look at the “other” women in the Stieglitz/O’Keeffe Circle, Modernism and the Feminine Voice broadens our scope of knowledge and insight into the role of women in the history of American art. Includes the work of such artists as Anne Brigman, Pamela Colman Smith, Gertrude Käsebier, and Katharine Nash. *****
Mumford on Modern Art in the 1930s
by Lewis Mumford. 277 pp.; 6 ¼ x 9 ¼; 8 B/W Photographs; Index. $29.95 Hardcover. Although more widely known for his writings on American architecture and urbanism, Lewis Mumford is here celebrated for his lesser-known essays on art and artists. Interesting insights and commentary on a range of figures that covers Matisse to Reginald Marsh. ****

KATLAN CONSERVATOR, INC: The Black and White Exhibitions of the Salmagundi Sketch Club 1878-1887: A Guide to Etchings, Engravings, Drawings, Sculpture, Ceramics, Oils and Monotypes by Alexander W. Katlan. 272 pp.; 6 x 9; 33 B/W Illustrations; List of Members; List of Presidents; Symbols; List of Exhibiting Artists; List of Illustrations. $29.95 Hardcover. This comprehensive guide to the extensive list of art and artists of the Salmagundi Sketch Club (one of New York City’s oldest art clubs) extends our knowledge and appreciation of one of our most prestigious arts organizations. An important reference tool, it includes a host of “name” American artists that have affected the course of art in this country. ****

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS: Outdoor Monuments of Manhattan: A Historical Guide by Dianne L. Durante. 302 pp.; 5 ½ x 8 ¼; B/W Illus.; Map; Appendices; Index. $18.95 Softcover. A guide book, a primer on looking at sculpture, and a brief historical overview of New York City’s monuments, Dianne L. Durante’s Outdoor Monuments of Manhattan offers up a wealth of information for both resident and tourist in search of sites along New York’s Streets and Avenues. Includes photos and information on some fifty-four sculptural monuments. ****

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA PRESS: Form Radiating Life: The Paintings of Charles Rosen by Brian H. Peterson. 198 pp.; 9 7/8 x 12 ¼; B/W & Color Illus.; Chronology; Appendices; Index. $45.00 Hardcover. The accompanying catalogue to an exhibition of the same name currently at the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, SUNY New Paltz (thru May 20), Form Radiating Life traces the career of Charles Rosen from his early days as a “Pennsylvania Impressionist” to that of a full-fledged “modernist.” **** 
Kiln Construction: A Brick by Brick Approach
by Joe Finch. 112 pp.; 7 ½ x 9 ½; 211 Color Illus.; Kiln Materials; List of Suppliers; Glossary; Bibliography; Index. $32.50 Softcover. A step-by-step (or, brick-by-brick) guide to constructing your own pottery kiln by a veteran who has built them in Wales, South Africa, Australia, and India. Clearly illustrated and presented. *****