Robert Motherwell

Rating:
Summary: A total travesty!
Review: I feel so bad for the author, but not bad enough to keep this book. It's being returned. Although the written content is excellent, 10 of the meager 18 photos of Motherwell's work are problematic -- nine have been inadvertently cropped during the printing, and one is both cropped and printed upside down. These books should have been withdrawn and reprinted, but instead, Columbia University Press tucked a little sheet into the dust jacket explaining their regret. It's hard to believe they proceeded with the distribution of this book, and retail it for $46. This is unconscionable in any book, but especially an art book on a noted figure like Motherwell. Please note that Amazon says the other reviewer's comments are based on a different edition.

Rating:
Summary: A total travesty!
Review: I feel so bad for the author, but not bad enough to keep this book. It's being returned. Although the written content is excellent, 10 of the meager 18 photos of Motherwell's work are problematic -- nine have been inadvertently cropped during the printing, and one is both cropped and printed upside down. These books should have been withdrawn and reprinted, but instead, Columbia University Press tucked a little sheet into the dust jacket explaining their regret. It's hard to believe they proceeded with the distribution of this book, and retail it for $46. This is unconscionable in any book, but especially an art book on a noted figure like Motherwell. Please note that Amazon says the other reviewer's comments are based on a different edition.

Rating:
Summary: At Five in The Afternoon
Review: Motherwell was an articulate voice in this period of American non-objective painting...Motherwell was more literate than most of the artist of the New York School and therefore he went much further in bring out influence, inspiration and what he calls "Psychic Automotism". This is the automatic writing/drawing that the surrealist introduced as a means to tap into the subconcious wealth of material in the artist. This book is very good at exploring the mind of the artist. Of particular value are the comments made by Motherwell that are found throughout the book next to the beautiful reproductions. I also found the interveiw at the end of the book with Motherwell very interesting. Dore Ashton provides an informed reflection on the artist and Arnason's extended text goes far to follow the major themes and subjects of the painters life- The Elegies, Open Paintings, Wall paintings ,collages and Works on paper. Even attention to the Je'tem Paintings and his Ocher peices. I recommend this grand book to anyone who loves Motherwell's work. His was a sublime acheivement in the important mid century of American painting. Buy the book new- it is far and away cheaper than any of the used copies...

Rating:
Summary: At Five in The Afternoon
Review: Motherwell was an articulate voice in this period of American non-objective painting...Motherwell was more literate than most of the artist of the New York School and therefore he went much further in bring out influence, inspiration and what he calls "Psychic Automotism". This is the automatic writing/drawing that the surrealist introduced as a means to tap into the subconcious wealth of material in the artist. This book is very good at exploring the mind of the artist. Of particular value are the comments made by Motherwell that are found throughout the book next to the beautiful reproductions. I also found the interveiw at the end of the book with Motherwell very interesting. Dore Ashton provides an informed reflection on the artist and Arnason's extended text goes far to follow the major themes and subjects of the painters life- The Elegies, Open Paintings, Wall paintings ,collages and Works on paper. Even attention to the Je'tem Paintings and his Ocher peices. I recommend this grand book to anyone who loves Motherwell's work. His was a sublime acheivement in the important mid century of American painting. Buy the book new- it is far and away cheaper than any of the used copies...