- Hardcover: 356 pages
- Publisher: Princeton University Press (Oct 30 1995)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0691044198
- ISBN-13: 978-0691044194
- Product Dimensions: 24.3 x 16.2 x 2.9 cm
- Shipping Weight: 730 g
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Product Details |
Product Description
Review
Much in Gino Severini's recollections is the day-to-day gossip of modernism at its peak.... Some of the most exciting movements in twentieth-century art.
Book Description
In 1906 the Italian futurist painter Gino Severini arrived in Paris with no money, no name, and very few acquaintances, only to become a key protagonist in the artistic and literary circles that would spearhead the modernist movement. His autobiography from this period, translated for the first time into English, tells the story of the Parisian art world he knew so well, and offers a unique account of the individuals and ideas that created modernism. Here we encounter painters and sculptors such as Matisse, Picasso, Modigliani, Braque, Gris, Dufy, Lger, Delaunay, Duchamp, Lipchitz, and De Chirico; the literary figures Marinetti, Paul Fort, Apollinaire, Cocteau, Reverdy, and Jarry; and also the philosopher and writer Maritain, composers Eric Satie and Igor Stravinsky, and the impresario of the Ballets Russes, Sergei Diaghilev. Severini shared their experiences in the studios, galleries, and cafs of Montmartre and Montparnasse, and re-creates the passionate debates that animated those gatherings. We witness not only the maturing of Severini's art and aesthetic theory but also the intellectual and political turbulence that brought forth a wealth of approaches to art in the first two decades of this century, including futurism, cubism, surrealism, constructivism, dadaism, and metaphysical painting. Beginning with an honest, humorous description of his financially ill-fated family in Tuscany, Severini goes on to describe the triumphs and mistakes of his adolescence in the Roman art scene, where he fraternized with Balla and Boccioni. His down-to-earth tone pervades his anecdotes and assessments of the Parisian art world, enabling a casual reader to grasp the many issues at stake. As Severini's status as an important painter gains widespread recognition, this autobiography serves as a valuable resource for critics and a thoroughly delightful, engaging account for anyone interested in learning more about this artist who sheds new light on many of the crucial movements of the century.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
An insider's look into the world of modern art, Aug 22 2005
By Karl Janssen - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Life of a Painter (Hardcover)
This book is neither a picture book nor a manifesto. It's a well-written artist's autobiography, something that is unfortunately quite rare. Severini is not a household name today, but he was a major player in the Paris art world of the early twentieth century. Best known as a Futurist painter, he describes himself as a reluctant member of that movement, and he dabbled in several "isms" over the course of his career. His close personal friends included Picasso, Braque, Gris, Modigliani, Apollinaire, and Cocteau. His acquaintances included just about every famous modern artist in Paris, Rome, and Milan, as well as many you've never heard of. His greatest achievement in this book is to diagram, by means of personal anecdotes, the motivations and theoretical concepts of all these artists and their movements, how they influenced one another and how they contributed to the growing, shifting entity that was "modern art."In addition to painting, he includes literature, theatre, music, and architecture in his scope. Along the way, he gives vivid descriptions of the bohemian cafe life of Paris, and the occupational hardships of a (sometimes literally) starving artist. There's also some fascinating stuff about the business side of art--working with galleries, dealers, and clients--at a period in history when, much to the chagrin of the author, art started to become less about craft and more and more about commerce. Sometimes when talking about his own work, the author's prose devolves into unintelligible artspeak, though that may be the fault of the translator. Severini is much more knowledgeable about poetry and philosophy than I am, so some of his discussions in those areas were way over my head. Such passages are brief, however, and 90% of the book was enjoyable and informative. I'm not a huge fan of Severini's painting, but his book pleasantly surprised me.
0 of 5 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
Life of a painter-Gino Severini, Jan 24 2002
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Life of a Painter (Hardcover)
Terse and dense manifesto, not a picture book
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