The Lure of Paris: Nineteenth-Century American Painters and Their French Teachers

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful reproductions of unfamiliar art
Review: This book has wonderful large-size reproductions of paintings by the Academic masters of 19th century France and their Ameriican pupils. All these artists were once lionized and collected by all the leading connoiseurs of the day, but were consigned to oblivion by modernism and modernist critics. The technical ability of all these artists is staggering, and the imagery is often striking. This is more than just an interesting part of America's artistic past - a painting like John Vanderlyn's Marius is so powerful you will not forget it. In addition, everything by Gerome is striking. (As a postscript, people who enjoy these works should visit the Dahest Museum in New York City)