Impressionism: Reimagining Art

by Norbert Wolf

Overview

Now available in a compact and attractively priced edition, this lavishly illustrated, multi-faceted examination of Impressionism traces the movement’s birth, development, and global impact.

One of the art world’s most recognizable and popular styles, Impressionism is also one of the most complex.

In this sumptuous overview Norbert Wolf lends his attention to all aspects of Impressionism: its historical precursors, contemporary rivals, and the movements it inspired. Over 200 reproductions of entire works and highlighted details introduce readers to the Impressionists’ aesthetics and techniques. Wolf draws insightful parallels between these paintings and other contemporary works of music, photography, and literature. Charting the movement’s expansion from France to the rest of Europe and North America, this volume shines a spotlight on the main protagonists who were key in the development of Impressionism. It highlights not only the French pioneers — Claude Monet, Gustave Caillebotte, Édouard Manet, Pierre- Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, and others—but also Max Liebermann, Lovis Corinth, John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassatt, William Merritt Chase, and James McNeill Whistler.

Authoritative and illuminating, this wide-ranging exploration of Impressionism’s astounding impact on art history will surprise even the most seasoned aficionado.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783791379890
Publisher:	Prestel Publishing
Publication date:	10/03/2023
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 12.06(h) x 1.18(d)

About the Author

Norbert Wolf is an art historian. He lives and works as a private lecturer and freelance author in Munich. He has already published several books with Prestel, which include: Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Albrecht Dürer, The World of the Saints and I Titian.

Editorial Reviews

"Starting in France, this global view of Impressionism wraps in painters and photographers from the United States, Scandinavia, Russia and throughout Europe. It deals with the familiar stylistic tics (flickering brush strokes, watery light), topics (dance halls, gardens, flowers) and even the art dealers and collectors who popularized the style."

—StarTribune
"[Thomas] Wolf, German art historian and author (Art Deco), has created another splendidly illustrated tome on an iconic art movement. . . . Wolf explores style, context, themes, the use of color and light, and the expansion of the movement beyond French borders. . . . Large color prints appear on nearly every page. In fact, the dust jacket is so magnificent, one might think a Monet painting was cut from the frame and wrapped around the book. Over 215 illustrations represent impressionist artists from Bazille to Whistler."

—Library Journal

From the Publisher

04/01/2016
Wolf, German art historian and author (Art Deco), has created another splendidly illustrated tome on an iconic art movement. The impressionist school was born in the early 1860s when four Paris-based painters met who shared an interest in portraying landscapes and contemporary life in natural light. Wolf explores style, context, themes, the use of color and light, and the expansion of the movement beyond French borders. His goal is to take a fresh look at impressionism, break down its various parts, and explore its influence on a more global scale. Large color prints appear on nearly every page. In fact, the dust jacket is so magnificent, one might think a Monet painting was cut from the frame and wrapped around the book. Over 215 illustrations represent impressionist artists from Bazille to Whistler. While in depth, the book is overburdened by occasional clumsy syntax and the use of obscure words and phrases. VERDICT This beautiful book is well worth seeing but destined primarily for the shelves of large art history collections.—Sandra Knowles, South Carolina State Lib., Columbia

Library Journal