Art Lovers discussion
Monthly Book Challenge
>
What Are You Reading in 2013?
date
newest »
newest »
---Post #145 in Question and Answer Section of the Monthly Book Challenge---If anyone's still out there and wants to group/buddy read ...
Renewed my local library card today, and brought home the following:
Time Life Books - World of Vermeer 1632-1675
Time Life Books - World of Bernini 1598-1680
Frida Kahlo The Paintings by Hayden Herrera
Speed Sketching by William T. Lent
I already have, from the university library, The Persistence of Craft, edited by Paul Greenhalgh.
I am debating on buying the book Creative Artist by Nita Leland - found it at a bookstore sale, but I have also gotten it at the university library.
My Great Uncle Andy (Mom's Uncle) had fantastic drawing/art talent, and my Grandfather (Mom's Dad) was good at drawing as well. After reading some of The Priceless Gift (Cornelius Hirschberg - one of my most favorite books)- and Julia Cameron's Artist Way, and some posts on the latter's Yahoogroups, I think that maybe learning to draw will help me with imagery and my writing.
Sadly, my knowledge of art is pretty much nil. I was/am more of a reading/writing/singing person, never into sports and art got shoved out of the way.
Anyone interested in reading/working through any of these? The local books have to be back in 2 weeks, the university I can keep for a month and renew twice, if necessary.
I don't want to lead a formal discussion; I am painfully behind on one in another group that I am supposed to be heading up. But I would like to hear/see what others think.
Thanks
Theresa
Thanks Heather :) Due to some space problems, I am returning Creative Artist by Nita Leland and The Persistence of Craft tonight or tomorrow. I can still check them out again later, but I have cats that enjoy chasing after each other, and lately they've rediscovered my closet... you get the picture :).
But I am keeping the other three, at least until I see what Ed and anyone else wants to read/discuss.
Theresa
Heather wrote: "---Post #145 in Question and Answer Section of the Monthly Book Challenge---
If anyone's still out there and wants to group/buddy read ...
Renewed my local library card today, and brought home th..."
I am currently reading "Grant Wood: A Life" by R. Tripp Evans. It was written in 2010. This is a very different biography compared to Thomas Hoving's book "American Gothic: the Biography of Grant Wood's American Masterpiece" which was published in 2005 and focuses on the painting more than the artist. I am an Iowa resident and am enjoying the description in the book of small town life and reactions to those that do not live a conventional lifestyle in the 1920-30s. Has anyone else read this book and what did you think of it. I am about 1/4 of the way through it.
Caryl, I own that book but haven't read it yet. I picked it up when my Borders was going out of business and unloading all the stock at ridiculously low prices. I probably got it for $5 or something, hardback, new. I hear it's supposed to be good. I think Jonathan Lopez told me that actually.
Speaking of Jonathan Lopez, I would like to read his book on "The Man Who Made Vermeers", a biography of the art forger Han van Meegeren. He has another book coming out soon called "In the Light of God" that includes Vincent Van Gogh.
Caryl wrote: "Speaking of Jonathan Lopez, I would like to read his book on "The Man Who Made Vermeers", a biography of the art forger Han van Meegeren. He has another book coming out soon called "In the Light o..."Lopez's book is excellent.
Checking in, I guess :). Hope everyone is staying dry and warm. I changed my mind, and am currently very slowly going through "What is art?" by John Canaday. Very interesting, and a lot of information. Things I had never thought about before.
I want to finish it and read through another one, both library books, before I focus on specific painters. I'm not positive on the full title of the second book, but it's "Past, Present, and Future," I think. Full of history as well as art.
Theresa
Hello all, Summer semester starts a week from Monday. Is anyone wanting to read these:
Grant Wood: A Life
Jonathan Lopez - The Man Who Made Vermeers or In the Light of God (if it's out yet?)
Bernini: His Life and His Rome
MSSU is much better than the local library at interlibrary loans.
Going to see if the others I had are still available, Ed or anyone else who wants to discuss them.
Theresa
Theresa
Theresa,I would be very interested in reading The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World's Largest Unsolved Art Theft by
Ulrich Boser. Let me know if you would be interested in joining me or anyone else that might find this a good read.
Caryl
Hi Caryl, Don't know how I missed your comment, but I did :(. I just saw where Webb City's library has The Gardner Heist and it's available, so cross your fingers. WC's a good library, but they get stolen from a lot. The book may be there, or it may not. I'll let you know :).
Again, my apologies for not responding sooner.
Theresa
Caryl wrote: "Theresa,
I would be very interested in reading The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World's Largest Unsolved Art Theft by
Ulrich Boser. Let me know if you would be interested in joining me or..."
Hi Caryl :) They had it! :). It is now in a bag to be moved to my read now pile (grin). Have you started it yet?
(You're probably finished since I'm so slow at seeing things....)
Theresa
Caryl wrote: "Theresa,
I would be very interested in reading The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World's Largest Unsolved Art Theft by
Ulrich Boser. Let me know if you would be interested in joining me or..."
Actually, I just bought it today at a independent bookstore in Hibbing, MN. It is out in paperback. So, no I haven't started it yet but I will after I finished another book first. I have heard good reviews. So, go ahead and get started and I will start soon.
Ok. I started it last night. Was not that impressed with the museum's electronic security. Granted, this was 20+ years ago, and a small museum, but still, for the artwork that was in there... seems to me like there should have been more precautions. Theresa
Caryl wrote: "Actually, I just bought it today...."
Hi! I have put a hold on the library book
The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World's Largest Unsolved Art Theft, but it won't be in until Monday next week, so I will try to catch up.
If you haven't been to there, here's some images.Views of the courtyard.
El Jaleo, John Singer Sargent, 1882, oil on canvas
“Eight feet high and nearly twelve feet long–so huge no one could fail to take notice–it was Sargent’s passionate, bravura tribute to Spanish dance and music. In a scene lit by footlights, a dark-haired flamenco dancer in a flowing silver-white skirt flings herself into her performance, as behind her, against a wall, a line of musicians and singers, all in black, play and sing, and other seated dancers clap hands.”-- David McCullough
Isabella Stewart Gardner by John Singer Sargent
Here are some of the rooms.
The Gardner Museum opened its new wing and restored Historic Galleries to the Public on January 19, 2012.
A few years back, I read
Mrs. Jack: A Biography Of Isabella Stewart Gardner by Louise Hall Tharp which I enjoyed.
Carol wrote: "If you haven't been to there, here's some images.Views of the courtyard.
El Jaleo, John Singer Sargent, 1882, oil on canvas
“Eight feet high and nearly twelve feet long–so huge no one could fa..."
Carol, thank you for posting these beautiful photos!
Albin wrote: "Carol, thank you for posting these beautiful photos!"Anytime Albin! It's a beautiful place to visit, especially in the spring. The Boston MFA is just a short walk from this museum, and Fenway is also in walking distance.
When my wife and I were in Boston a few years back, we made to the Boston MFA and Fenway, but NOT the Gardner - I'm still kicking myself!
Yes, thank you. Much better and more pictures than are in the book (at least so far). Theresa
Albin wrote: "Carol wrote: "If you haven't been to there, here's some images.....
OT for this specific thread, but when I was in NYC in 2004, the only things I didn't get to do was go to more than one branch of the library (for only about half an hour), and any of the museums and/or the huge churches. Unfortunately, the family that I was riding with had to go back a couple of days earlier than planned for my friend's work. She was supposed to be on vacation, and they claimed they needed her back early.
I am still kicking myself. I haven't been able to go back. Maybe someday :).
Theresa
Albin wrote: "When my wife and I were in Boston a few years back, we made to the Boston MFA and Fenway, but NOT the Gardner - I'm still kicking myself!"
I am a couple of pages into chapter 9. Enjoying the little side anecdotes along the way. I'm slightly over 3 hours from Topeka :). There is at least one chapter where he deals with the security issue - or lack of - with quotes from interviews. Hindsight's 20/20, I guess, and I can see each viewpoint. But still, a chill runs down my spine when I think of all the art basically for the taking - not only in the Gardner but other museums as well . But then I like electronics and gadgets, so I'm biased that way.
I checked out Time Life's "The World of" books on Rembrandt and Vermeer last night. Surprisingly to me, the Rembrandt book makes no mention of the Storm on the Sea of Galilee. Nothing in the index and no pictures of the painting at all. I had to Google to see what the painting looks like in color; the Gardner book shows only black and white pictures.
The Concert is shown and discussed in the Vermeer book. I am reading the Rembrandt one first.
Wikipedia has links to current (2012 and 2013) FBI announcements that they know who stole the paintings - but they're not naming names. Especially after reading the Gardner book, I take those announcements with a healthy serving of salt.
By the way, Art Daily has an article on The Girl with the Pearl earring coming to the Southeast (Atlanta) for Vermeer fans, http://artdaily.com/news/63648/High-M...
Theresa
Caryl wrote: "Theresa,
I would be very interested in reading The Gardner Heist..."
Theresa wrote: "By the way, Art Daily has an article on The Girl with the Pearl earring coming to the Southeast (Atlanta) for Vermeer fans..."The Frick Museum is (I believe) the last US stop on the tour for Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Hals: Masterpieces of Dutch Painting from the Mauritshuis which runs from October 22, 2013 to January 19, 2014.
Travel schedule:
2012:
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Kobe City Museum
2013:
San Francisco/ de Young Museum
Atlanta/ High Museum
NYC/ Frick Museum -- http://www.frick.org//exhibitions/mau...
2014:
Italy - Palazzo Fava, Bolgona
The collection by image --
http://www.mauritshuis.nl/index.aspx?...
The collection by artist --
http://www.mauritshuis.nl/index.aspx?...
I've got The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World's Largest Unsolved Art Theft but I am behind. Tomorrow is my mom's 80th birthday which she has decided to celebrate from Friday until Sunday morning! C'est la vie!
Your mother has the right idea! Happy Birthday Weekend to her!
Please tell your Mom Happy Birthday for me :). Enjoy yourself! Theresa
Carol wrote: "...Tomorrow is my mom's 80th birthday which she has decided to celebrate from Friday until Sunday ..."
I have read to chapter 8 at this point. It is frustrating that to this point not many leads have been beneficial for the return of the stolen artwork. I had the opportunity to visit the Gardner museum last spring that included the new addition. I was fascinated by the empty frames of the missing artwork. I heard the author of this book being interviewed on a news show recently. It perked my interest.
Thank you!Despite the busy weekend, I read the first 5 chapters.
Just finished the book. It is a terrible tragedy. I can't fully understand how anyone could physically cut the canvas of a Vemeer or Rembrandt (or any painting). I have been a long time visitor to the ISG museum and I am so happy that they were able to raise money to be able to improve the museum while still observing her wishes. After reading this book, I don't think we will ever see the artworks that were stolen.
Hi Caryl, Which news show did you see the author on? Is it possible it's online, or transcribed? I'd like to see it, if he has anything worth while to say.
Theresa
Caryl wrote: "I have read to chapter 8 at this point. "
I wonder too if we'll ever see the paintings again. It would be nice to have some proof that they are actually out there, instead of destroyed. I ran across this article http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/a... which describes a mother probably destroying by fire the paintings that her son stole, and another mother who butchered, destroyed, and threw out the paintings and other art that her son stole.
I am hoping nothing like this has really happened to the Gardner paintings.
Theresa
Carol wrote: "Just finished the book. It is a terrible tragedy. I can't fully understand how anyone could physically cut the canvas of a Vemeer or Rembrandt (or any painting). I have been a long time visitor to..."
Thanks Caryl :). On the bright side of things, this article, http://www.slate.com/articles/news_an...#, talks about "art thieves almost never destroy their loot," so maybe there's still a chance the paintings will be put back on the wall some day.
Theresa
I hope that's true; reading about the mother who incinerated paintings was beyond the pale!!
Morning, I apologize for not being more involved lately, last month and so far this month have not been wonderful. Had 2 friends pass away last month, and now my home computer has died, plus the washing machine, plus some other things. Interesting times!
I have a non-smart cell phone and a hour each day at the library, when I can get here. I'll keep up as best as I can; hope things straighten out soon.
Take care - time's about up.
Theresa
Caryl wrote: "Theresa,
I would be very interested in reading The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World's Largest Unsolved Art Theft by
Ulrich Boser. Let me know if you would be interested in joining me or..."
Hi :). Hello :). Anybody home? I can't find a current reading thread, so I'm assuming this is still going ... anyone have another book they'd like to read? Theresa
I just finished
An interesting read. It wanders over all aspects of art and creativity.
Theresa wrote: "Hi :). Hello :). Anybody home? I can't find a current reading thread, so I'm assuming this is still going ... anyone have another book they'd like to read?
Theresa"
Hi Theresa. You can find the current read on the home page.
Theresa"
Hi Theresa. You can find the current read on the home page.
Thanks Jamielynn, I must be looking right past it. In a hurry, so I probably am.
Stay warm!
Theresa
No problem Theresa. You stay warm too! It's January like here in Iowa today!
I have recently finished " The Art Forger" and am anticipating reading "The Goldfinch". I have read good reviews on "The Goldfinch".
Caryl I recently read The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I will read The Goldfinch in the future. She is a good writer with an interesting way of thinking. She is very clever.
Caryl wrote: "I have recently finished " The Art Forger" and am anticipating reading "The Goldfinch". I have read good reviews on "The Goldfinch"."I didn't remember hearing about The Goldfinch until I looked it up and it was already on my TBR list! It does look really intriguing.
I read
and I thought that it was excellent!
Well...of course I'm reading it in 2014, but: Seeing Through Clothes by Anne Hollander, which is about clothing in art. It's actually a rather old book, originally published in 1978. I finished the first chapter, "Drapery" and have moved on to the second, "Nudity." So far I would say it's just okay. Hollander's writing style isn't grabbing me.
Art Lovers
Books mentioned in this topic
Seeing Through Clothes (other topics)The Goldfinch (other topics)
The Goldfinch (other topics)
The Accidental Masterpiece: On the Art of Life and Vice Versa (other topics)
The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World's Largest Unsolved Art Theft (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Anne Hollander (other topics)Louise Hall Tharp (other topics)
Jonathan Lopez (other topics)
We are already 1/4 of the way through the year, but I believe that where reading is concerned, time is only a finite measurement of the infinite knowledge and enjoyment found in books. For our discussions here, we will begin this thread with your chosen books you have read, are reading, or intend to read in 2013.
This thread is an open discussion. It doesn't need to be based on one specific book to read as a group since I'm sure we are all involved in diverse literature. But here we can discuss what we are learning and share our reviews and opinions with others.