At the height of his powers, Pablo Picasso was the artist as revolutionary, breaking through the niceties of form in order to mou...
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Dec 06, 2011
Ensiform
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This 1989 edition of the book includes a brief intro by the author explaining the book's initial reception in 1965 when its subject was still living; and a third chapter written in the '80s, after Picasso's death. In a way a response to the ineffectual hagiography that surrounded Picasso, Berger, a Marxist, attempts to explain the artist as a product of his place (feudal, anarchistic Spain), his time, his personal isolation as an exile and deified celebrity. Berger shows how Picasso's style wa
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Oct 21, 2010
Eddie
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John Berger presents a profound analysis of Picasso's paintings. He shows how Picasso's exile from Spain had a great influence on his painting. The major analysis by Berger is that Picasso was unlike most of his contemporaries. Whereas many painters view their lives through the works they created, Picasso was Picasso. He was viewed through a different prism. All his works were considered masterpieces because he was Picasso. People were afraid to criticize his paintings. Not so Berger. Picasso'
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Dec 07, 2007
Paul
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Classic comment that I remember from this book was where Berger pointed out that after a certain point in Picasso's life, if he wanted anything all he had to do was draw it.
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Aug 20, 2010
Kenneth
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Berger wrote this while Picasso was still alive. Quite interesting to read why this Marxist critic thinks the communist artist failed.
Jun 10, 2008
Hang
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. . . still mulling it over . . .
It took me a long time to get through this book, even though Berger is one of my favorite writers. What Berger writes about Picasso is enlightening, perplexing, thought-provoking, annoying, spot-on, dead-wrong.
This is an incredible piece of work for anyone interested in Picasso, or more widely, what "makes" an artist.
I will likely read it again.
It took me a long time to get through this book, even though Berger is one of my favorite writers. What Berger writes about Picasso is enlightening, perplexing, thought-provoking, annoying, spot-on, dead-wrong.
This is an incredible piece of work for anyone interested in Picasso, or more widely, what "makes" an artist.
I will likely read it again.
May 18, 2011
Janie
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Berger delves into the variety of influences on Picasso's life and work, from the history of Spanish feudalism, bourgeois Europe, WWI &II, anarchy, physics, the rise of European industrialism, American capitalism, Communism, Cubism, the birth of Surrealism, and other fun-filled topics. He even gets around to Picasso's mistresses, too.
Jan 24, 2008
Eye opening view of Picasso situated in social-cultural historical account that will allow you to reconsider Picasso and Cubism in particular.
Oct 28, 2007
Conrad
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a good book, worth the read, helps demistify this popular yet misty artist
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