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The Art of Richard Diebenkorn
Recognized as a major figure in postwar American painting, Richard Diebenkorn (1922-1993) was an artist strongly identified with California but whose work is beloved throughout the United States and the rest of the world. Published to coincide with the first retrospective of Diebenkorn's work since his death in 1993, this catalog will be the most comprehensive volume on the artist now available.Jane Livingston's extensively researched biographical essay covers Diebenkorn's entire career and concentrates on the artist's inner life and purposes as revealed in his paintings. Ruth Fine deals primarily with the figurative aspect of Diebenkorn's work (1955-67), and John Elderfield concentrates on the Ocean Park period (1967-93). All three authors provide valuable insights based on their personal relationships with the artist and his widow, Phyllis. On both page and canvas, the reader can sense Diebenkorn's complexity and highly selfconscious working methods, as well as his formidable integrity.
The Art of Richard Diebenkorn will give readers with an interest in all phases of modernism new thoughts about the relationship between abstraction and representation. Stunningly illustrated, with 192 full-color reproductions, this book is an exhilarating testament to a distinctive American artist.
The Art of Richard Diebenkorn will give readers with an interest in all phases of modernism new thoughts about the relationship between abstraction and representation. Stunningly illustrated, with 192 full-color reproductions, this book is an exhilarating testament to a distinctive American artist.
- GenresArtNonfiction
276 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 10, 2008
I avoid this book for months, thinking I've got all of it in my head...but that's not possible. Every time I go back to this book in my studio, I find some new great essay or an image that fits me better now. A great collection. I think it's been revised a few times since this too.
December 4, 2020
Five stars for the art.
Three stars for the articles. They do what articles about artists are supposed to do. I'm just ambivalent about this kind of writing and my thoughts aren't sufficiently coalesced, at the moment, to explain the ambivalence.
By the way, this book cover photo is upside down.
Three stars for the articles. They do what articles about artists are supposed to do. I'm just ambivalent about this kind of writing and my thoughts aren't sufficiently coalesced, at the moment, to explain the ambivalence.
By the way, this book cover photo is upside down.
April 18, 2018
Three interesting essays on the artist and his work at the beginning. Full range of art represented nicely. However, this book is starting to look its age. Glad I got it from the library.
February 19, 2024
!!!!! and a most obvious 5 stars
October 29, 2010
'Reality Digested, Transmuted and Twisted'
Ruth E. Fine's title for her essay on Richard Diebenkorn (1922-1993) aptly describes the career of this phenomenally important and gifted artist. His works are still sought after by those who can still afford his many print editions from Crown Point Press ('Green', an etching from the Ocean Park Series remains one of the most highly valued etchings in this country): his place in art history is secure.
This book is actually a catalogue form the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City exhibition that traveled from 1997 - 1999 across the country. It is in very respect one of the finest books on Diebenkorn, form the color reproductions to the fine and intelligent essays from not only the curator of this exhibition Jane Livingston ('The Art of Richard Diebenkorn'), but also form the above mentioned Ruth E. Fine and especially John Elderfield ('Leaving Ocean Park'). The artist's career is followed chronologically, a particularly fine curatorial choice because of the ways in which Diebenkorn's career mutated. Best known for his abstract expressionist paintings created in his home in the Bay Area of California - especially the Ocean Park Series, paintings that glow with light the way that Rothko's glow with dark. But Diebenkorn, always testing the waters of creativity, turned to representation for a while, creating figurative work that while painted with realism still managed to make even his figures reflect his unusual gift for capturing the qualities of light peculiar to the Bay Area. The canvases range from the very large to the intimately small works of still life, like 'Poppies' that graces the cover.
A special aspect of this book of wonders is the decision to add bits and fragments of Diebenkorn's own writing - at times witty, at times shy, and always informative as to his perception of his work in the art world at large. This is a book to cherish for all art lovers and a monument to the art of catalogue design. Grady Harp
Ruth E. Fine's title for her essay on Richard Diebenkorn (1922-1993) aptly describes the career of this phenomenally important and gifted artist. His works are still sought after by those who can still afford his many print editions from Crown Point Press ('Green', an etching from the Ocean Park Series remains one of the most highly valued etchings in this country): his place in art history is secure.
This book is actually a catalogue form the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City exhibition that traveled from 1997 - 1999 across the country. It is in very respect one of the finest books on Diebenkorn, form the color reproductions to the fine and intelligent essays from not only the curator of this exhibition Jane Livingston ('The Art of Richard Diebenkorn'), but also form the above mentioned Ruth E. Fine and especially John Elderfield ('Leaving Ocean Park'). The artist's career is followed chronologically, a particularly fine curatorial choice because of the ways in which Diebenkorn's career mutated. Best known for his abstract expressionist paintings created in his home in the Bay Area of California - especially the Ocean Park Series, paintings that glow with light the way that Rothko's glow with dark. But Diebenkorn, always testing the waters of creativity, turned to representation for a while, creating figurative work that while painted with realism still managed to make even his figures reflect his unusual gift for capturing the qualities of light peculiar to the Bay Area. The canvases range from the very large to the intimately small works of still life, like 'Poppies' that graces the cover.
A special aspect of this book of wonders is the decision to add bits and fragments of Diebenkorn's own writing - at times witty, at times shy, and always informative as to his perception of his work in the art world at large. This is a book to cherish for all art lovers and a monument to the art of catalogue design. Grady Harp
January 12, 2009
The book consists of three essays, the first and longest a biographical examiation of Diebenkorb's work from his first paintings to those painted at the end of his life. This is the most informative essay. The other two much shorter essys are mostly art viewpoints about his work. The book is lavishly illustrated and all the works commented upon in the essays are illustrated. Well worth a read.
June 14, 2012
The reproductions of the artwork are great, and this book helped me to develop a new appreciation for Deibenkorn's paintings. While informative, the first essay is incredibly dry; halfway through it I almost decided to not read any of the text at all. The other two essays made for much better reading.
August 2, 2012
Not sure if I have seen any of his paintings but may have at the RISD museum.
This book is expensive but well worth the investment for its comprehensive history and knowledge of Diebenkorn's work. As with books of its kind that have curatorial info about the work and author, there is extra less familiar work which fascinates me.
This book is expensive but well worth the investment for its comprehensive history and knowledge of Diebenkorn's work. As with books of its kind that have curatorial info about the work and author, there is extra less familiar work which fascinates me.
January 26, 2009
Dicky Diebenkorn!
I've had this book for a few years, but only ever looked at the pictures! (haha!) I've set about on the text just now and am not regretting it. Inspiring stuff.
I've had this book for a few years, but only ever looked at the pictures! (haha!) I've set about on the text just now and am not regretting it. Inspiring stuff.
June 16, 2012
Great american artist. Great retrospective book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews