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Dora Maar
For the first time, a comprehensive exploration of Dora Maar’s enigmatic photography reveals her as an extraordinary and influential artist in her own right.
Dora Maar (born Henriette Théodora Markovitch, 1907–1997) was active at the height of Surrealism in France. She was recognized as a key member of the movement and maintained professional relationships with many of its prominent figures, such as André Breton, Brassaï, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Man Ray. However, her standing as the one-time muse and mistress of Pablo Picasso—his famous “Weeping Woman”— has long eclipsed her creative output and minimized her influence.
Richly illustrated with 240 key works showcasing Maar’s inimitable acumen as a photographer, this book examines the full arc of her career for the very first time. Subjects include her innovative commercial and fashion photography, approach to the nude and eroticism, engagement with political groups, interest in socially concerned photography, affiliation with the Surrealist movement, and hitherto unknown work from her reclusive late career, providing a dynamic and multifaceted examination of an important artist.
This volume is published to accompany an exhibition on view at the Centre Pompidou Paris, France June 5 to July 29, 2019; the Tate Modern London, United Kingdom November 19, 2019, to March 15, 2020; and the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center April 21 to July 26, 2020.
Dora Maar (born Henriette Théodora Markovitch, 1907–1997) was active at the height of Surrealism in France. She was recognized as a key member of the movement and maintained professional relationships with many of its prominent figures, such as André Breton, Brassaï, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Man Ray. However, her standing as the one-time muse and mistress of Pablo Picasso—his famous “Weeping Woman”— has long eclipsed her creative output and minimized her influence.
Richly illustrated with 240 key works showcasing Maar’s inimitable acumen as a photographer, this book examines the full arc of her career for the very first time. Subjects include her innovative commercial and fashion photography, approach to the nude and eroticism, engagement with political groups, interest in socially concerned photography, affiliation with the Surrealist movement, and hitherto unknown work from her reclusive late career, providing a dynamic and multifaceted examination of an important artist.
This volume is published to accompany an exhibition on view at the Centre Pompidou Paris, France June 5 to July 29, 2019; the Tate Modern London, United Kingdom November 19, 2019, to March 15, 2020; and the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center April 21 to July 26, 2020.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published January 7, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 24, 2020
The first time I had any knowledge of Dora Maar was (sadly) when she died in the 90's.
Curiosity had me look into her vast expanse of work and quickly had me obsessed with her photography.
While she was also a painter, poet and muse (to Picasso of all people) it's her photography that resonated with me.
If you are unfamiliar with her work I would highly recommend getting familiar.
Heck you can start with this book!
Thanks to NetGalley and Getty Publications for my DRC.
Curiosity had me look into her vast expanse of work and quickly had me obsessed with her photography.
While she was also a painter, poet and muse (to Picasso of all people) it's her photography that resonated with me.
If you are unfamiliar with her work I would highly recommend getting familiar.
Heck you can start with this book!
Thanks to NetGalley and Getty Publications for my DRC.
February 19, 2020
This is an exhibition catalog for a show that will be visiting the Tate Modern, the Centre Pompidou, and the J. Paul Getty Museum this year. Most of it is photographs from the 1930s and 1940s, with some of her paintings at the end.
I had never heard of Dora Maar, but I like looking at old photos, so I knew this would be interesting. Maar created a variety of photos including advertising, nudes, fashion, street people, and surrealist collages when that became fashionable. There seems to have been a period of time where it was the thing among photographers to take pictures of poor people in cities. I especially enjoyed looking at Maar's photos of these people in France and England. If you look at all the details, including the backgrounds, you get a real feel for what life was like for the average citizen back then.
If you have any facility with Photoshop, you might look at her surrealist collages and think you could knock out something like that in a few hours. But back then it took a lot of time and skill to manipulate the photo plates and create the effect you wanted.
Maar was Pablo Picasso's mistress for a few years. During that time he allowed her to do her work in the same studio where he was painting. She took a series of six photographs of his famous work "Guernica" when it was a work in progress. I found it fascinating to see how the canvas was gradually filling in. I was surprised to discover how huge that painting is. I had seen photos of the painting, but never checked the dimensions. About 11 1/2 feet tall and 25 1/2 feet wide. No wonder people are so impressed by it.
Picasso was apparently also the one that convinced Maar to switch from photography to painting. I think she should have stuck with photography. She should have told him to buzz off. Not that her paintings are bad, but her eye was better suited to photography.
The catalog also has a lot of interesting articles by various authors detailing Dora Maar's life, the progression of her career, and the people who influenced her. This was not a time that was kind to women who wanted to work in "men's" professions, but she was innovative and persistent, and was able to create a name for herself and separate her work from the men who wanted to take credit for what she had done.
I had never heard of Dora Maar, but I like looking at old photos, so I knew this would be interesting. Maar created a variety of photos including advertising, nudes, fashion, street people, and surrealist collages when that became fashionable. There seems to have been a period of time where it was the thing among photographers to take pictures of poor people in cities. I especially enjoyed looking at Maar's photos of these people in France and England. If you look at all the details, including the backgrounds, you get a real feel for what life was like for the average citizen back then.
If you have any facility with Photoshop, you might look at her surrealist collages and think you could knock out something like that in a few hours. But back then it took a lot of time and skill to manipulate the photo plates and create the effect you wanted.
Maar was Pablo Picasso's mistress for a few years. During that time he allowed her to do her work in the same studio where he was painting. She took a series of six photographs of his famous work "Guernica" when it was a work in progress. I found it fascinating to see how the canvas was gradually filling in. I was surprised to discover how huge that painting is. I had seen photos of the painting, but never checked the dimensions. About 11 1/2 feet tall and 25 1/2 feet wide. No wonder people are so impressed by it.
Picasso was apparently also the one that convinced Maar to switch from photography to painting. I think she should have stuck with photography. She should have told him to buzz off. Not that her paintings are bad, but her eye was better suited to photography.
The catalog also has a lot of interesting articles by various authors detailing Dora Maar's life, the progression of her career, and the people who influenced her. This was not a time that was kind to women who wanted to work in "men's" professions, but she was innovative and persistent, and was able to create a name for herself and separate her work from the men who wanted to take credit for what she had done.
October 21, 2019
Fantastic exhibition catalogue for a retrospective on Dora Maar's life and work.
Maar (1907-1997) was a Surrealist photographer/artist whose own creations have--in the intervening years--been passed over and forgotten in light of her liaisons/friendships with famous male artists of the period, most prominently Pablo Picasso. This book makes it clear that Maar deserves her place among the influential Surrealists, particularly for the breadth of her foci across photographic disciplines. Maar worked not only in artistic photography but also fashion and commercial avenues.
Many great plates of her work--photography/collage/painting--interspersed with scholarly essays on the periods of her aesthetic development. Also, some great info on her work with the Surrealist Women's Network! The Dora Maar exhibit is coming to LA in 2020--i hope i can get out there to see it!
I received an ARC of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review of #DoraMaar - thank you!
Maar (1907-1997) was a Surrealist photographer/artist whose own creations have--in the intervening years--been passed over and forgotten in light of her liaisons/friendships with famous male artists of the period, most prominently Pablo Picasso. This book makes it clear that Maar deserves her place among the influential Surrealists, particularly for the breadth of her foci across photographic disciplines. Maar worked not only in artistic photography but also fashion and commercial avenues.
Many great plates of her work--photography/collage/painting--interspersed with scholarly essays on the periods of her aesthetic development. Also, some great info on her work with the Surrealist Women's Network! The Dora Maar exhibit is coming to LA in 2020--i hope i can get out there to see it!
I received an ARC of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review of #DoraMaar - thank you!
December 15, 2019
Dora Maar is an exhibition catalogue and critical assessment that is both visually appealing and very informative.
Maar is one of those figures many of us have heard of, maybe even know of a work or two, but little beyond that. This book serves to introduce those of us in that group to the extensive body of work she produced as well as to her interesting life. While not a biography by any means we do walk away with an appreciation of what she chose to do and an understanding of why.
I think anyone interested in surrealism should have this book. In addition, anyone who wants to have a better understanding of what "the art world" was like will enjoy this as well. The essays delve into both the hows and the whys of many works of hers as well as an interesting discussion of the relationship between her and Picasso during the creation of Guernica. Fans of photography and painting will find much to like here.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
Maar is one of those figures many of us have heard of, maybe even know of a work or two, but little beyond that. This book serves to introduce those of us in that group to the extensive body of work she produced as well as to her interesting life. While not a biography by any means we do walk away with an appreciation of what she chose to do and an understanding of why.
I think anyone interested in surrealism should have this book. In addition, anyone who wants to have a better understanding of what "the art world" was like will enjoy this as well. The essays delve into both the hows and the whys of many works of hers as well as an interesting discussion of the relationship between her and Picasso during the creation of Guernica. Fans of photography and painting will find much to like here.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
October 14, 2019
I went into this book knowing next to nothing about Dora Maar, the cover enticed me and I wanted to learn something new. This book is meant to accompany an exhibition traveling to Paris, London, and Los Angeles. This book goes through the history of the artist, touching on key relationships and formative experiences that shaped and moved the direction of her art.
I appreciated the beautifully arranged images of Maar's work, which mapped out the progression of her style and mediums over the years. I found myself wishing that her art had been better cataloged, better cared for, and better recognized during her lifetime. How unfortunate that she was creating during a time when women were seemingly more valued for their relationships to men than to their craft.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wanted to learn more about an artist you may not have heard of, but who was creating consistently and prolifically throughout their life. Dora Maar is so much more than Picasso's Weeping Woman and worth a look. The photographs of her work are fantastic, even if you can't catch the upcoming shows.
I appreciated the beautifully arranged images of Maar's work, which mapped out the progression of her style and mediums over the years. I found myself wishing that her art had been better cataloged, better cared for, and better recognized during her lifetime. How unfortunate that she was creating during a time when women were seemingly more valued for their relationships to men than to their craft.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wanted to learn more about an artist you may not have heard of, but who was creating consistently and prolifically throughout their life. Dora Maar is so much more than Picasso's Weeping Woman and worth a look. The photographs of her work are fantastic, even if you can't catch the upcoming shows.
December 11, 2019
A great art book on the photographer/painter/Surrealist Dora Maar. Most of the work focuses on her output during the late 1920s and 1930s with her photography and photomontage while the last section showcases her work with painting and a nice, small section of the work she did of and with Picasso. The text provided a nice introduction to Maar within the art movements she was involved with throughout her career.
ARC from NetGalley.
ARC from NetGalley.
December 4, 2019
I received an advanced digital copy of this book from the author, publisher and Netgalley.com. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Finally, Dora Maar's work is being given the focus it should have had years ago. A beautiful catalogue to accompany a wonderful exhibition. A must have for photography and art lovers.
5 out of 5 stars.
Finally, Dora Maar's work is being given the focus it should have had years ago. A beautiful catalogue to accompany a wonderful exhibition. A must have for photography and art lovers.
5 out of 5 stars.
October 17, 2019
Dora Maar is about a artist I had never heard of and it was interesting to learn about. The author clearly had done a lot of research. Well written.
March 13, 2020
I found this book absolutely fascinating ... more because of the life portrayed than the writing itself, which was appropriately academic. The book is comprised of a series of essays by art historians and critics to accompany photographs, paintings, and photomontages created by one of the leading figures of Surrealism. It's a coffee table book sized exhibition catalog. Dora Maar is probably best known by members of the general public for being one of Picasso's mistresses and principle models for nine years. She photographed the successive stages of Guernica. But she was so much more, an artist in her own right and a collaborator and friend of the leading lights of that early Twentieth Century movement in France. Paul and Nusch Eluard, Man Ray, Andre Breton were all part of the same circle. They inspired each other and often collaborated on projects. Her work was experimental and challenging. Dora Maar, was, I believe, the last surviving member of the group, passing away in 1997 at the age of ninety in Paris, where she lived part of each year, spending other time at her home in Ménerbes. Although Maar was politically active on the left, this book focuses on her art as it evolved over the course of her long life.
April 19, 2020
A great collection of the talented photographers work. The book shows a nice progression from her early photography work to her more sural work. If you enjoy anything by Dora Maar or early photography you most likely will enjoy this book like I did.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an unbiased review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an unbiased review.
March 2, 2020
A lot of this was very fun and impressive. I definitely see why it has been circulating so well. If you like the cover, you'll probably like the book.
March 12, 2020
Wonderful.
June 20, 2020
This is a fascinating collection of Dora Maar’s works. She has only ever been shown on one level before, I adored her Street photography and surrealism.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews