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Title: Henri Matisse (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists) by Mike Venezia ISBN: 0-516-26146-0 Publisher: Children's Press (CT) Pub. Date: 01 September, 1997 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.67 (3 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Mike Venezia introduces kids to art of Henri Matisse
Comment: Mike Venezia begins his look at Henri Matisse with the assertion that this was one of the most important painters of the 20th century. However, after having read this volume in the Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists series I am not sure why this would be the case. If it is because Matisse wanted artwork to give people pleasure or because of his striking use of colors, then the problem is simply that the case is not made explicitly. Usually when an artist is important you can point to the impact he had on others, but that is not the argument being made here. I raise this issue, not because I have been grading papers all week and been constantly harping on the difference between arguing and asserting, but because I had been reading every one of Venezia's books I can get my hands on as part of my do-it-yourself art appreciation course. I want to know who was important and why.
What this book does do better than most of the volumes in this series is trace the development of Matisse as an artist. The best example of this is when he compares the 1908 work "Harmony in Red (The Tablecloth)," with Matisse's 1897 painting "La Desserte." The paintings both show a table covered with deserts, but in very different styles. Of course, it is the latter work that represents Matisse's use of colors and the working of decorative designs into his painting. This was a painter who did not start his life's work until he was twenty, but even with that late start Matisse produced art for half a century and went through several evolutions of style. Of the world's major artists (i.e., the ones Venezia writes about), only Pablo Picasso had more distinct and significant periods as an artist. Matisse is labeled a French post-impressionist artist, and while that particular designation is never explicitly explained, you can certainly get a sense for what it means by simply looking at the twenty examples of his work reproduced in this volume.
As always, there are several cartoons in which Venezia depicts key moments in the life of the artist, such as when he was ill and given a paint set, through which Matisse learned he did not want to be an assistant lawyer, but rather an artist. As mentioned earlier, there are twenty examples of Matisse's work reproduced throughout the book. My minor complaint on this score would be that except for the cover, you will not find another example of his work when his chief tool was a pair of scissors rather than the paintbrush. I also would have liked to have seen a painting by John Russell, who is cited as a major influence on Matisse in terms of the use of bright colors. Usually Venezia includes works by the other artists relevant to his subject, so I have to assume there were copyright problems this time around. This look at Henri Matisse is an above average entry in this first rate series for introducing young readers to the great artists of the Western world.
Rating: 5
Summary: Outstanding Series
Comment: Mike Venezia makes famous artists come to life. I have used these books in my reading class and have inspired reluctant readers to read non-fiction. Ages 6-11 enjoy the lively language and great reproductions.
Rating: 4
Summary: Well thought out...
Comment: I was really impressed with not only how wonderfully the book related to children, but to the colorful art work as well. My son asked lots of questions and related this book to his life.
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Title: Picasso by Mike Venezia ISBN: 0516422715 Publisher: Children's Press (CT) Pub. Date: 01 September, 1988 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
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Title: Van Gogh by Mike Venezia ISBN: 051642274X Publisher: Children's Press (CT) Pub. Date: 01 March, 1989 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
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Title: Monet (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists) by Mike Venezia ISBN: 0516422766 Publisher: Children's Press (CT) Pub. Date: 01 May, 1990 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
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Title: Georgia O'Keeffe (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists) by Mike Venezia ISBN: 0516422979 Publisher: Children's Press (CT) Pub. Date: 01 January, 1994 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
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Title: Pierre Auguste Renoir (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists) by Mike Venezia ISBN: 0516200682 Publisher: Children's Press (CT) Pub. Date: 01 October, 1996 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
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