“If my story were ever to be written down truthfully from start to finish, it would amaze everyone,” wrote Henri Matisse. It is hard t...
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reviews
Mar 02, 2009
Lydia
rated it: 
I'd give the first part a 1.5-2 star and the second have a 4-5 star...
Because of my lack of knowledge concerning both this artist and his style of painting in general I really struggled through the first couple hundred pages. It jumped right into him teaching art...with a daughter and new wife (not the mom of the daughter...but you didn't know that till much later in the book).
However, I thoroughly enjoyed the last couple hundred of pages. This was showing how his work More...
Because of my lack of knowledge concerning both this artist and his style of painting in general I really struggled through the first couple hundred pages. It jumped right into him teaching art...with a daughter and new wife (not the mom of the daughter...but you didn't know that till much later in the book).
However, I thoroughly enjoyed the last couple hundred of pages. This was showing how his work More...
Feb 05, 2009
Spurling devoted two volumes and more than 1,000 pages to her biography of Henri Matisse, and it is clear that she fell in love with the great artist by the time she had finished. Critics labeled Matisse the Master and its predecessor a monumental achievement worthy of its subject, and they noted that the second volume could easily stand on its own. Extensively researched and lovingly written, Spurling brings both the artist and his work to life, even for those already familiar with Matisse. If
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Dec 14, 2011
Lynne
rated it:
Didn't finish the VOLUMINOUS book, but more than half way. I very much enjoyed the art criticisms surrounding various pieces by Matisse. This is THE art historians books however with every detail of Matisse's life (and those close to him) documented. Just too much for me. There are just too many other things I want to read!
Apr 08, 2010
Rob
rated it: 
Second volumes of Matisse's life. For some reason I liked this one better the first volume; it seems to get deeper into the artist's personality and art than its predecessor. However, looking back, I may have underrated volume one--for both of these are good books and probably a must for Matisse admirers.
Nov 03, 2010
Taf Teh
rated it:
Ini adalah buku kedua tentang Matisse (kali pertama dibeli pada 96/97) yang dibeli di Big Bad Wolves dengan harga RM10! Satu pelaburan murah yang berbaloi, terutamanya untuk mereka yang gemar mengintai dunia GILA orang lain. GILA ibarat satu dadah halal yang bebas, yang diperlukan oleh artis untuk berkarya. Ia juga seberat destructive stimuli yang lain seperti dadah, alkohol atau seks.
For him (Matisse) each painting was a rape. "Whose rape?" he asked... "A rape of m More...
For him (Matisse) each painting was a rape. "Whose rape?" he asked... "A rape of m More...
Dec 06, 2007
Laura
rated it: 
Along with Quentin Bell's biography of Virginia Woolf, this and Spurling's first volume, 'The Unknown Matisse' are masterpieces of the life writer's art. From the artist's early days in the poor and dim north of France to his last days in the light-filled south, there's enough detail here to sink a lesser biographical vessel. There's so much that we didn't know before---Spurling's scholarship is exhaustive--- but it's all so well told. This is not the Matisse that introductory art history cour
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Jun 23, 2011
Tema
rated it:
An in depth biography of the life of Matisse. Spurling leaves no stone unturned. She completely unmasks the genius and his tumultuous struggles to define a new window and perspective of art. I loved this book.
Jun 18, 2008
John
rated it:
Now I know why Matisse was an absolute genius. He took color and nude girls (unfortunately he never slept with them -- one model was so beautiful the other poor, totured artists called her The Sunset) and turned them into something beyond the beyond. He is still ignored in Paris. When I visited the Musee D'Orsay last year, Matisse was absent. Many French artists think he is a mere colorist. In my opinion, his work transcends not only the time it was made, but our time as well.
Sep 06, 2008
Andrew
rated it:
As one who knows very little about modern art, this was a valuable way to learn about one if its great pioneers. This book covers Matisses' adult life, relating plenty of education about his work as well is a very detailed relating of his personal life. I would think that some people would like a shorter version of the story or, perhaps, a more direct explanation of Matisse' art and its importance.
Sep 29, 2011
Tema
rated it:
A most fascinating biography of the life of Matisse and his origins. Spurling's research is remarkable, her access unlimited. We witness the birth of a man who would crash through the doors of what is acceptable which resulted in a new language of art. His relationship with other painters including his nemesis Picasso is masterfully displayed. A must read for any and all who love the history of art.
Dec 31, 2009
Caren
rated it:
There were a couple of wonderfully insightful, tender and thought-provoking moments in this book that kept me going through the times when it seemed to be a slew of name-dropping- referencing folks who I have no clue who they were. Yet, when those moments came- ahh... Worth reading if you are a major fan of Matisse, yet if you just want to learn some about him, perhaps a different book would be better.
Dec 03, 2007
Patricia
rated it:
This has some of the material the family released to Spurling prior to the opening of the archives next year. Although one reviewer (a man whose name I don't remember) felt the pace rushed after Mme Matisse is off the scene, I didn't have that sense. Beautifully written and gives the attentive reader as much as the Psalms on which to meditate.
Feb 10, 2008
Dickson
rated it: 
This book would have received more stars from me except for some failings that seemed to be along the 'academic' lines. The style becomes wooden in places. The book content: more stars. The card file: fewer stars.
Mar 22, 2008
Emily
rated it:
I found it really interesting to read about Matisse's life and especially his relationship to his family.
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