Since my wife and I have been self isolating for a while, I have increased my book reading. I found this book GREAT MASTERS of AMERICAN ART, by Jordi Vigue in a local bookstore, used. It profiles around seventy-five American artists since this country was formed. It is well-researched and I have learned much about some artists I had not heard of before.
While it features favorite artists such as Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent I learned for example, that John Vanderlyn(1775-1852) was sponsored financially for twenty years by Aaron Burr. Burr himself made arrangements so that Vanderlyn could study in Philadelphia with Gilbert Stuart.
In addition, the author profiles some talented Native American artists. One is quite skilled in watercolors based on my perusing of later sections of the book which I have yet to read.
In conclusion, I find many art books lacking in substance, but not this one. Vigue, truly, has broadened my view of American history through the artistic journey of so many interesting and inspiring painters.
No comments:
Post a Comment