Comments on: What are some really good books on modern art or artists?

Question: What are some really good books on modern art or artists?

gesamtkunstwerk — Thu, 29 Apr 2004 20:50:18 -0800

I really enjoy art, particularly modern painting. I just read Russell Martin's Picasso's War: The Destruction of Guernica and the Masterpiece That Changed the World, and was only vaguely satistifed. Can any of you recommend some really good books on modern art or artists?

By: kenko

kenko — Thu, 29 Apr 2004 21:11:08 -0800

Arthur Danto's After the End of Art might be of interest. Ignore the parts of the editorial reviews that mention the end or death of art, because he doesn't actually mean that art ended or died.

By: nicwolff

nicwolff — Thu, 29 Apr 2004 23:44:52 -0800

I got Risking the Abstract: Mexican Modernism and the Art of Gunther Gerzso for my birthday and it's excellent.

By: RavinDave

RavinDave — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 00:44:08 -0800

Tom Wolfe's "The Painted Word". Though I'm guessing you'll disagree with the premise, it's still a great read regardless of where your loyalties and sensibilities sit.

By: andrew cooke

andrew cooke — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 04:32:09 -0800

i too enjoy modern art much more than "old fashioned" stuff. however, "giotto to durer" (search amazon) is an interesting and beautiful (and reasonably priced, for the size and quality) book i'm in the middle of at the moment. just in case...

By: jfuller

jfuller — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 04:52:23 -0800

Another vote for The Painted Word.

By: PinkStainlessTail

PinkStainlessTail — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 06:22:42 -0800

If you happen to like Marcel Duchamp, I'd reccomend Pierre Cabanne's Dialogues with the man and Calvin Tompkins' biography.

Lots of people seem to like The Shock of the New, but I am not personally familiar with it.

By: gesamtkunstwerk

gesamtkunstwerk — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 06:26:24 -0800

These all sound great. I'm fine reading something that I don't necessarily agree with. I'm taking this list to the library!

Thanks for the suggestions.

By: ifjuly

ifjuly — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 14:42:50 -0800

if you're interested in weimar germany and dada's political context, you might want to check out barbara mccloskey's george grosz and the community party or cut with the kitchen knife by maud lavin. or, you could go straight to the source. also, it's not analysis but kathe kollwitz's collected diary/letters are available. and if you venture into more contemporary stuff, there's a plethora of good books on the guerrilla girls as well as jenny holzer, barbara kruger, francesca woodman, etc.

By: andrew cooke

andrew cooke — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 16:46:05 -0800

do you have a recommendation for a book that would cover jenny holzer in particular - history and background - and that's also a good read?