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Artists' Letters: Leonardo da Vinci to David Hockney
Artists’ Letters is an intriguing collection of 100 carefully selected letters from great artists which provide us with a unique insight into their characters and a glimpse into their lives.
Letters and notes from Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Goya, Van Gogh, Picasso, Dali, Kahlo, Warhol and Yayoi Kusama are reproduced, some of which include sketches, drawings and decorative flourishes, together with a transcript of the correspondence and some background details. Arranged thematically, it includes writings and musings on love, happiness, work, daily life, money, politics, travel and the creative process, and shows us the treasures to be found in a simple letter.
Letters and notes from Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Goya, Van Gogh, Picasso, Dali, Kahlo, Warhol and Yayoi Kusama are reproduced, some of which include sketches, drawings and decorative flourishes, together with a transcript of the correspondence and some background details. Arranged thematically, it includes writings and musings on love, happiness, work, daily life, money, politics, travel and the creative process, and shows us the treasures to be found in a simple letter.
- GenresArtNonfiction
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 22, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 2, 2022
Cartas de los artistas, como su propio título indica una colección de cartas, notas, Fax de artistas, tratando temas como el trabajo, la amistad, el amor, los viajes, preocupaciones, la propia vida, muchas de ella ilegibles y otras muchas con ilustraciones de los propios artistas.
El libro no está organizado cronológicamente sino por temas, y dentro de cada tema tampoco hay un orden cronológico.
El libro está compuesto por los siguientes capítulos:
Introducción
Familia y amigos. Vi la nueva jirafa
De artista a artista. Como un sonámbulo
Regalos y Felicitaciones. Tu libro sobre brujería
Mecenas y Promotores. Lo mejor que he pintado
Amor. Hola cariño
Asuntos profesionales. Mis merecidos 1244 Florines
Viajes. Espero llegar a Venecia
Despedida. Veo mejor
Cronología
Un edición cuidadísima, con la cubierta troquelada y el interior consta en la página izquierda de la carta del artista y en parte derecha, la relación entre los personajes que se cartean y a que se debe la carta. En la parte de abajo de la página derecha, la transcripción de dicha carta.
Es curioso conocer la vida más personal de estos artistas a través de estas cartas, los viajes, las inquietudes que tenían, problemas, exposiciones, nuevos proyectos, amores, invitaciones, amistad, etc, etc,
Hay correspondencia de artistas como Leonardo da Vinci, Klimt, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí, Frida Kahlo, Miguel Ángel, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Pablo Picasso, etc, etc...
Lo que no encontrarás en el libro es la respuesta a estas cartas...
La única pega que puedo poner es la tipografía, en las páginas de la derecha, la parte de abajo que corresponde a la transcripción de las cartas, tiene una tinta excesivamente clara y para mí, no digo para el resto de lectores, y hay que forzar la vista. Insisto, a mí me ha costado leer estas partes, pero es algo muy personal.
El libro no está organizado cronológicamente sino por temas, y dentro de cada tema tampoco hay un orden cronológico.
El libro está compuesto por los siguientes capítulos:
Introducción
Familia y amigos. Vi la nueva jirafa
De artista a artista. Como un sonámbulo
Regalos y Felicitaciones. Tu libro sobre brujería
Mecenas y Promotores. Lo mejor que he pintado
Amor. Hola cariño
Asuntos profesionales. Mis merecidos 1244 Florines
Viajes. Espero llegar a Venecia
Despedida. Veo mejor
Cronología
Un edición cuidadísima, con la cubierta troquelada y el interior consta en la página izquierda de la carta del artista y en parte derecha, la relación entre los personajes que se cartean y a que se debe la carta. En la parte de abajo de la página derecha, la transcripción de dicha carta.
Es curioso conocer la vida más personal de estos artistas a través de estas cartas, los viajes, las inquietudes que tenían, problemas, exposiciones, nuevos proyectos, amores, invitaciones, amistad, etc, etc,
Hay correspondencia de artistas como Leonardo da Vinci, Klimt, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí, Frida Kahlo, Miguel Ángel, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Pablo Picasso, etc, etc...
Lo que no encontrarás en el libro es la respuesta a estas cartas...
La única pega que puedo poner es la tipografía, en las páginas de la derecha, la parte de abajo que corresponde a la transcripción de las cartas, tiene una tinta excesivamente clara y para mí, no digo para el resto de lectores, y hay que forzar la vista. Insisto, a mí me ha costado leer estas partes, pero es algo muy personal.
October 11, 2019
This book is a beautiful sneak into the private letters of other people which is amazing. I love how you can see all of the writing styles and the illustrations of the letters as well as the stories behind the author and recipient of the letters. As someone who still appreciates the love of letter writing and still has pen friends even as adult this book resonates with me.
November 26, 2019
This was a really interesting and visually stunning look at how people used to communicate before our insipid, sterile little texts and emails. The book is worth buying just for Beatrix Potter's letter! There are several pairs of letters, such as the exchange between Gauguin and Van Gogh. There's even a holiday card from John & Yoko. If you like artists' biographies, found objects, or just handwriting analysis, this is the book for you.
January 6, 2020
LOVE, LOVED this book!! I really enjoyed having the actual letter/postcard/note in the book, then an explanation of the two parties and then a transcription of the letter. I could not get enough of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book.
October 23, 2019
My thanks to Quarto Publishing Group- White Lion Publishing for a temporary digital edition via NetGalley of ‘Artists’ Letters - Leonardo da Vinci to David Hockney’ by Michael Bird in exchange for an honest review.
This was a little difficult to review in a digital format rather than the hardback physical edition where the letter and accompanying details are on facing pages. I also feel that it is the kind of book that is perfectly suited for dipping into rather than trying to read from cover to cover in a few sittings.
This is an interesting collection that provides brief glimpses into the private thoughts and lives of the featured artists. Each letter is presented as a reproduction followed on the facing page by a commentary by Bird providing background and context of the letter and a transcript or translation of the letter. Being letters by artists there are often doodles on the paper. Some of the handwriting is rather illegible so I was grateful for the transcripts.
Bird has grouped the letters into eight thematic chapters with a timeline of the letters at the end along with sources for the letter images and an index.
As the publisher points out the opening chapter titled ‘Family & Friends’ puts to rest the myth of the artist as a solitary genius and shows evidence of creative communities that provides support and mutual appreciation.
An intriguing book that would make a lovely gift for an art lover.
This was a little difficult to review in a digital format rather than the hardback physical edition where the letter and accompanying details are on facing pages. I also feel that it is the kind of book that is perfectly suited for dipping into rather than trying to read from cover to cover in a few sittings.
This is an interesting collection that provides brief glimpses into the private thoughts and lives of the featured artists. Each letter is presented as a reproduction followed on the facing page by a commentary by Bird providing background and context of the letter and a transcript or translation of the letter. Being letters by artists there are often doodles on the paper. Some of the handwriting is rather illegible so I was grateful for the transcripts.
Bird has grouped the letters into eight thematic chapters with a timeline of the letters at the end along with sources for the letter images and an index.
As the publisher points out the opening chapter titled ‘Family & Friends’ puts to rest the myth of the artist as a solitary genius and shows evidence of creative communities that provides support and mutual appreciation.
An intriguing book that would make a lovely gift for an art lover.
July 28, 2023
I have decided to read The Trouble With You by Ellen Feldman. Is it possible for you to put it back on my shelf? Also, I would like to emphasize that I read with the Kindle.
Blue North
Blue North
December 22, 2020
Pablo Picasso, Leonardo Da Vinci, Frida Kahlo, Claude Monet, Yoko Ono&John Lennon, Gustav Klimt, Salvádor Dalí, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Rembrandt van Rijn a plno dalších ❤️
Jednotlivé korespondence jsou podle jejich témat rozděleny do osmi kapitol, například Rodina a přátelé, Láska, Umělec umělci, Profesní záležitosti, Mecenáši a příznivci...
Kvůli tomu je zde výrazné skákání v čase, které ale pak na konci knížky srovná časová osa.
Musím vyzdvihnout i skutečnost, že u každého přeloženého dopisu je krátce nastíněn i kontext, při jakých podmínkách a událostech dopis vznikal a díky tomu je snazší si domyslet, co jednotliví umělci prožívali.
To mě na tom bavilo opravdu hodně. Číst mezi řádky, i když to samozřejmě šlo jen těžce. Líbilo se mi ale, že můžu takhle napřímo nahlédnout do jejich soukromí.
Překvapuje mě, že se dopisy zachovaly v tak dobrém stavu a ocenila jsem, když hned na další stránce byla odpověď. Například dopis od Gaugina pro Van Gogha a hned poté odpověď Vincenta zpátky.
Myslím si, že tahle kráska je skvělým vánočním dárkem pro všechny, kteří k umění mají jakýmkoliv způsobem blízko.
Jednotlivé korespondence jsou podle jejich témat rozděleny do osmi kapitol, například Rodina a přátelé, Láska, Umělec umělci, Profesní záležitosti, Mecenáši a příznivci...
Kvůli tomu je zde výrazné skákání v čase, které ale pak na konci knížky srovná časová osa.
Musím vyzdvihnout i skutečnost, že u každého přeloženého dopisu je krátce nastíněn i kontext, při jakých podmínkách a událostech dopis vznikal a díky tomu je snazší si domyslet, co jednotliví umělci prožívali.
To mě na tom bavilo opravdu hodně. Číst mezi řádky, i když to samozřejmě šlo jen těžce. Líbilo se mi ale, že můžu takhle napřímo nahlédnout do jejich soukromí.
Překvapuje mě, že se dopisy zachovaly v tak dobrém stavu a ocenila jsem, když hned na další stránce byla odpověď. Například dopis od Gaugina pro Van Gogha a hned poté odpověď Vincenta zpátky.
Myslím si, že tahle kráska je skvělým vánočním dárkem pro všechny, kteří k umění mají jakýmkoliv způsobem blízko.
October 24, 2019
Artists' Letters: Leonardo da Vinci to David Hockney from Michael Bird is a fascinating collection presented in a wonderful manner.
While these letters are from and/or to famous people the emphasis is on the human aspect of each exchange. As such, they are grouped in broad general groupings such as Family & Friends, Love, and Travel. Unlike a collection of a single person's or a single couple's correspondence, this does not tell a single narrative. This makes this a book that can just as easily be read little by little as time allows as it can read all at once. If you need a single story arc to keep your interest, or if you can't read a book of short stories as a single book, then you might want to approach this as something to read as the fancy strikes you. I found it quite enjoyable as a single cohesive book, with each grouping as almost a prolonged conversation on a broad subject. Because of the context offered by Bird for each letter, each serves as a short story of sorts. The artists you're more familiar with will probably be more interesting to you but as long as you can relate to human feelings and situations it won't really matter a whole lot if you're unfamiliar with a lot of them.
Another fun aspect of the book is that each correspondence is pictured so you can see the handwriting or any scribbling or doodling that was included. There is a bit of a voyeuristic pleasure in finding old letters in real life, whether of family or strangers. Many recent novels use the finding of letters as a jumping off point for some kind of adventure, the pleasure is so common. This is very similar in large part because of the images of the actual letters.
I would recommend this to readers who like art and art history, who like to glimpse into the personal aspects of well known people, and those who simply enjoy reading something that was never meant to be made public and then speculating about what is written between the lines. This would also make a great gift for someone you know who might fall into these categories.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
While these letters are from and/or to famous people the emphasis is on the human aspect of each exchange. As such, they are grouped in broad general groupings such as Family & Friends, Love, and Travel. Unlike a collection of a single person's or a single couple's correspondence, this does not tell a single narrative. This makes this a book that can just as easily be read little by little as time allows as it can read all at once. If you need a single story arc to keep your interest, or if you can't read a book of short stories as a single book, then you might want to approach this as something to read as the fancy strikes you. I found it quite enjoyable as a single cohesive book, with each grouping as almost a prolonged conversation on a broad subject. Because of the context offered by Bird for each letter, each serves as a short story of sorts. The artists you're more familiar with will probably be more interesting to you but as long as you can relate to human feelings and situations it won't really matter a whole lot if you're unfamiliar with a lot of them.
Another fun aspect of the book is that each correspondence is pictured so you can see the handwriting or any scribbling or doodling that was included. There is a bit of a voyeuristic pleasure in finding old letters in real life, whether of family or strangers. Many recent novels use the finding of letters as a jumping off point for some kind of adventure, the pleasure is so common. This is very similar in large part because of the images of the actual letters.
I would recommend this to readers who like art and art history, who like to glimpse into the personal aspects of well known people, and those who simply enjoy reading something that was never meant to be made public and then speculating about what is written between the lines. This would also make a great gift for someone you know who might fall into these categories.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
August 26, 2023
I haven't gone for any of the previous 'famous letters' books I could have reviewed – for some reason the bitty little snapshots they provide into the sender (and recipient, I suppose) oddly not gelling with my usual idea of coming at the famous through their least expected means (Greene the plays, Pullman the addenda to the trilogy, etc). But something made me at least click for this and demand I see what I would be getting.
What we have is the visual of the original letter – and of course, there is often a sketch or cameo from the artist refusing to let a chance of creating art pass them by – and then a page containing the context and biogs and the transcript. So here is Dali, here is talk of constipation, here is someone who at one single simple glance is Lear – only they aren't… Here is Duchamp asking his sister to fake an early readymade – only she's already thrown the item concerned out. Here are nitwit gherkins, which is a fine name for a dodgy rock group, I'm sure you'll agree.
And all told this is pretty fine, but seemed twice the length it could get away with. Ming period Chinese experts, and even twentieth century artists the regular person won't have heard a word of in their lives are all here, and don't always seem to justify their place. The editorialising is on the whole better than the content selection, although having Rivera called out for sleeping around and not Kahlo is a bit rich. And something about this turned me to the trivial – what would a graphologist make of this? There is a huge difference between Ingres and the scrawl of O'Keeffe, for one glaring contrast. All told, I didn't mind this too much, but didn't find I'd emended a major lack in my life – three and a half stars.
What we have is the visual of the original letter – and of course, there is often a sketch or cameo from the artist refusing to let a chance of creating art pass them by – and then a page containing the context and biogs and the transcript. So here is Dali, here is talk of constipation, here is someone who at one single simple glance is Lear – only they aren't… Here is Duchamp asking his sister to fake an early readymade – only she's already thrown the item concerned out. Here are nitwit gherkins, which is a fine name for a dodgy rock group, I'm sure you'll agree.
And all told this is pretty fine, but seemed twice the length it could get away with. Ming period Chinese experts, and even twentieth century artists the regular person won't have heard a word of in their lives are all here, and don't always seem to justify their place. The editorialising is on the whole better than the content selection, although having Rivera called out for sleeping around and not Kahlo is a bit rich. And something about this turned me to the trivial – what would a graphologist make of this? There is a huge difference between Ingres and the scrawl of O'Keeffe, for one glaring contrast. All told, I didn't mind this too much, but didn't find I'd emended a major lack in my life – three and a half stars.
Did Not Finish
October 17, 2019I received an advance review copy from Quarto Publishing Group through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest.
DNF @ 24%
If I had a print copy of this book, I can definitely see myself picking it up to leaf through occasionally. But it doesn't really lend itself to a cover to cover read-through; beyond the chapter groupings by writer-recipient relationship ("Family & Friends," "Artist to Artist," etc) and/or topic ("Love," "Travel," etc) there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason behind the selection or the order of the orders — which means that although the letters are interesting, I didn't feel immersed in the collection.
The "commentary" / historical context for the letters was helpful, but again I wasn't totally sure of the relevance of certain details or, in some cases, the exact relationship between author and addressee. I would've enjoyed more editorializing, such as why each particular letter interested Bird and how it fits into the chapter theme / our knowledge of the historical figure / our understanding of people and relationships generally.
tl;dr This has an interesting premise and the execution isn't half-bad, but it just wasn't holding my attention.
DNF @ 24%
If I had a print copy of this book, I can definitely see myself picking it up to leaf through occasionally. But it doesn't really lend itself to a cover to cover read-through; beyond the chapter groupings by writer-recipient relationship ("Family & Friends," "Artist to Artist," etc) and/or topic ("Love," "Travel," etc) there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason behind the selection or the order of the orders — which means that although the letters are interesting, I didn't feel immersed in the collection.
The "commentary" / historical context for the letters was helpful, but again I wasn't totally sure of the relevance of certain details or, in some cases, the exact relationship between author and addressee. I would've enjoyed more editorializing, such as why each particular letter interested Bird and how it fits into the chapter theme / our knowledge of the historical figure / our understanding of people and relationships generally.
tl;dr This has an interesting premise and the execution isn't half-bad, but it just wasn't holding my attention.
November 13, 2019
Email came and it killed letters. Human beings started to write texts on wtsapp or SMS.
And our capacity to conserve our communications; in physical form vanished.
And lately we are progressing towards self destructing emails and messages.
We want to communicate and delete. To keep the slate clean.
But old times were different.
Famous people and artists wrote letters to other famous counterparts.
And these letters have survived sometimes from natural decay and are preserved in highly readable state.
This book contains such letter from mighty and talented.
There are great people like Picasso, Da Vinci, David Hockney, Van Gogh and others whose names I cannot make out clearly.
But this is grand Heritage and collectables on show.
I liked profound use of cartooning and drawings in letters. Some drawings are very adorable.
Letters discuss business, love , travel and careful incisive inquest into lives of each other.
Writer and receiver don't matter with time, but what they left keeps affecting masses.
Lovely postcards are also eye-catching and glorious.
A delightful peek into history of solid and perennial communication between two human beings.
Thanks netgalley and publisher for review copy.
And our capacity to conserve our communications; in physical form vanished.
And lately we are progressing towards self destructing emails and messages.
We want to communicate and delete. To keep the slate clean.
But old times were different.
Famous people and artists wrote letters to other famous counterparts.
And these letters have survived sometimes from natural decay and are preserved in highly readable state.
This book contains such letter from mighty and talented.
There are great people like Picasso, Da Vinci, David Hockney, Van Gogh and others whose names I cannot make out clearly.
But this is grand Heritage and collectables on show.
I liked profound use of cartooning and drawings in letters. Some drawings are very adorable.
Letters discuss business, love , travel and careful incisive inquest into lives of each other.
Writer and receiver don't matter with time, but what they left keeps affecting masses.
Lovely postcards are also eye-catching and glorious.
A delightful peek into history of solid and perennial communication between two human beings.
Thanks netgalley and publisher for review copy.
December 31, 2019
2,5 stars rounded to 3 stars.
The first thought I had after finishing this book was “artists are really poor correspondents”.
I found the concept of this book rather fascinating, I did want to get more insight into the lives and thoughts of some artists and I imagined their letters to offer that.
I have to admit, though, that most of the letters were disappointing. The interesting parts were the stories behind those letters, which show the great research the author did to get to the circumstances of each letter , and it was through that “introduction” to each letter that I learned more about the artists.
I really liked the fact that the original picture/scanning of each letter was added to the text. I guess it was that part which really told something about the artist, from the way it was written or typed to the additional sketches/pictures added to the written part.
Overall, it was an interesting book even though it was not exactly fulfilling.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for this free copy in exchange of an honest review.
The first thought I had after finishing this book was “artists are really poor correspondents”.
I found the concept of this book rather fascinating, I did want to get more insight into the lives and thoughts of some artists and I imagined their letters to offer that.
I have to admit, though, that most of the letters were disappointing. The interesting parts were the stories behind those letters, which show the great research the author did to get to the circumstances of each letter , and it was through that “introduction” to each letter that I learned more about the artists.
I really liked the fact that the original picture/scanning of each letter was added to the text. I guess it was that part which really told something about the artist, from the way it was written or typed to the additional sketches/pictures added to the written part.
Overall, it was an interesting book even though it was not exactly fulfilling.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for this free copy in exchange of an honest review.
October 23, 2019
Wow! Artist' Letters is an expertly curated collection of letters for famous artists throughout history. The actual letters are shown! Real letters from as far back as the 1500's! Each one is then followed by a brief account of what was happening in the artists life and/or the relationship between the sender and receiver. Then the letter is shown in type so that we can actually read what was written. This is helpful as some needed to be translated into English, and others were just written in hard to read script. I was so amazed to see letters written in Dali's own hand, DaVinci discussing his inventions, Lucien Frued writting to a friend, and Andy Warhol succinctly describing his current living conditions. This book is an absolute treasure! Each time I turned the page I was awed by letters I saw. This is an absolute must read for anyone who loves art and wants a glimpse into the artists' lives. Incredible! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 1, 2019
In my opinion, this is an absolutely wonderful book. It will surely be loved by art aficionados and by those who are fascinated by reading letters that were once written on intimate terms. The book is organized into subjects; a examples include Family & Friends, Artist to Artist, Gifts & Greetings, Patrons & Supporters, Love (a favorite of mine), Professional Matters, Travel and Signing Off.
Readers can dip in and out of this book wherever their interests or fingers take them. I enjoyed reading letters between Georgia O'Keefe and Alfred Stieglitz and those between Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel for example. In many instances, photographs of the letters are included. There is also biographical and other information that places the letters in context.
I loved this book which I received from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I may buy the hard copy just for the joy of it.
Readers can dip in and out of this book wherever their interests or fingers take them. I enjoyed reading letters between Georgia O'Keefe and Alfred Stieglitz and those between Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel for example. In many instances, photographs of the letters are included. There is also biographical and other information that places the letters in context.
I loved this book which I received from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I may buy the hard copy just for the joy of it.
August 15, 2023
I've read this thanks to Netgalley!
Artists' Letters is, obviously, a collection of letters and postcards inumerous artists exchanged with one another and, a few, with unknown recipients.
It's interesting to read how some of these artists talked to one another. The familiarity and, in a particular chapter, how they did business.
The good:
-Pretty nice division, well chaptered.
-The pictures of the originals give the book a nice charm.
-Refreshing read.
The bad:
-Not all of them, but some of the intros before the letter were quite long. It felt like I was back to my Art History classes, where we did nothing but read extensive text. Lol
I haven't highlighted anything, but my favorite letter is obviously Da Vinci's sort-of resume. He really numbered his abilities on paper and got the job. Lol
A pretty cool read.
Artists' Letters is, obviously, a collection of letters and postcards inumerous artists exchanged with one another and, a few, with unknown recipients.
It's interesting to read how some of these artists talked to one another. The familiarity and, in a particular chapter, how they did business.
The good:
-Pretty nice division, well chaptered.
-The pictures of the originals give the book a nice charm.
-Refreshing read.
The bad:
-Not all of them, but some of the intros before the letter were quite long. It felt like I was back to my Art History classes, where we did nothing but read extensive text. Lol
I haven't highlighted anything, but my favorite letter is obviously Da Vinci's sort-of resume. He really numbered his abilities on paper and got the job. Lol
A pretty cool read.
October 25, 2019
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Each set of letters includes photos the letters, post cards, envelopes creating a lovely visual representation. In fact, reading this on my phone, the pictures came first and I had a great time trying to guess ho wrote which correspondence with those such as Beatrix Potter and John Lennon easy to guess.
Each letter comes with a sort explanation of time period and history of the correspondence. Also included is a translation o the letters to the author's best possible work.
This would be a great gift for your bookish friend.
Each letter comes with a sort explanation of time period and history of the correspondence. Also included is a translation o the letters to the author's best possible work.
This would be a great gift for your bookish friend.
November 7, 2019
A great present for any art lover.
This is an analogue love letter to communications from artists. I particulary liked the small drawaings and graphics on some of the selection of letters from c. 1482 right up to 1995.
I got me thinking: where will today's artist's emails be stored? On a server? In deleted items. A beautiful of communication of yesteryear's greats.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy in return for an honest review.
This is an analogue love letter to communications from artists. I particulary liked the small drawaings and graphics on some of the selection of letters from c. 1482 right up to 1995.
I got me thinking: where will today's artist's emails be stored? On a server? In deleted items. A beautiful of communication of yesteryear's greats.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy in return for an honest review.
June 9, 2023
To be honest didn’t enjoy it thoroughly but enjoyed a lot of “parts” (letters).
Personally didn’t like how timelines flew , but I understand it was to fit into the themes of the chapters.
Fast read, extremely short, different letters discussing different things. Mainly enjoyed the love letters between artists who happened to also be lovers (eg. Khalo and Rivera, Rodin and claudel).
Overall pretty ok.
Personally didn’t like how timelines flew , but I understand it was to fit into the themes of the chapters.
Fast read, extremely short, different letters discussing different things. Mainly enjoyed the love letters between artists who happened to also be lovers (eg. Khalo and Rivera, Rodin and claudel).
Overall pretty ok.
January 26, 2020
Fabulous book. A collection of 100 artists’ letters, reproduced in facsimile with a transcript and commentary, offering a fascinating glimpse into their lives. More of a book to peruse in hard copy than digitally, as it’s a one to dip in and out of rather than read straight through, but even as an e-book the production values stand out and it’s a joy to behold. Loved it.
October 16, 2019
What a fascinating book! And what a treat to see the actual letters written by these artists with the illustrations they included in them. They showed a personal side of the artists that isn't often seen.
This book would be a great gift for any art lover.
This book would be a great gift for any art lover.
October 21, 2023
I thought this was a neat read. My favorite was the mundane every day writings. You think of these famous people and expect profound works from them all the time and that’s not accurate. I really liked the actual letter is pictured so you can see their handwriting.
November 19, 2019
This book was lovely and very interesting. The photographs really brought the letters to ‘life.’ There is a wide range of letter too, on numerous themes....something for everyone.
July 24, 2023
I really enjoyed my time reading this book, sometimes the description or the explanation for every letter very long for a short letter but in general I learned a lot about artist’s and art…
August 1, 2023
(2.5) ARC given by NetGalley
May 2, 2025
Little pieces of history that puzzle together a bigger picture. Leonardo resume to royal court is my favourite letter of them all. Read one a day or when inspired.
January 6, 2026
Goede WC-lectuur
April 12, 2026
Be more like Leonardo in his CV (to Ludovico Sforza, de facto ruler of Milan):
'I know... how to make an infinite number of bridges, ...'
'I have methods for destroying every fortress...'
'Likewise in painting, I can do everything possible as well as any other...'
'Your Excellency, to whom I commend myself with all possible humility'
'I know... how to make an infinite number of bridges, ...'
'I have methods for destroying every fortress...'
'Likewise in painting, I can do everything possible as well as any other...'
'Your Excellency, to whom I commend myself with all possible humility'
June 8, 2023
Esta genial, pero la mayoria de cartas son de hombres, no hay equidad, y son de arte contemporaneo, que personalmente no es santo de mi devocion.
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