A great sculptor's work beautifully presented, 22 Dec 2006
The photographs in this book are suberb, with several of Bernini's greatest works photographed from a number of unusual and illuminating angles. His main works are shown full page, a number of them in colour, and there is an exhaustive catalogue at the back showing all of his work with informative information on each. Consequently Rudolf Wittkower has produced a book that not only looks good as a coffee table browse but which contains much detailed information of enormous interest to anyone interested in this great sculptor's work at any level.

A great sculptor's work beautifully presented, 22 Dec 2006
The photographs in this book are suberb, with several of Bernini's greatest works photographed from a number of unusual and illuminating angles. His main works are shown full page, a number of them in colour, and there is an exhaustive catalogue at the back showing all of his work with informative information on each. Consequently Rudolf Wittkower has produced a book that not only looks good as a coffee table browse but which contains much detailed information of enormous interest to anyone interested in this great sculptor's work at any level.

Hundertwasser, 22 Mar 2005
A really nice book. visually stunning with lots of pictures not only on Hundertwasser's work but, also himself. This book has it all in an conveniant size and doesn't sacrifice anything. Contains details and images of Hundertwasser's skills including painting, stamps, tokens, and architecture to his own clothing. A really good all round book to get you started with alot of information.

It is hard work, but worth it., 03 Nov 2003
This book differs significantly form other books in Taschen's Basic Art series. The others are written as pretty straight, linear and accessible accounts of the life and work of the artist in question. This book was written by Pierre Restany who was a friend of Hundertwasser's and is a rather more subjective account of his work structured around his theory of the The Five Skins. The style is not as accessible for a casual reader but if you make the effort you will understand Hundertwasser's ideas. This is well worth the effort as Hundertwasser is an important artist who's significance is often overlooked. The book is well illustrated and you certainly can't complain about the price.

A great sculptor's work beautifully presented, 22 Dec 2006
The photographs in this book are suberb, with several of Bernini's greatest works photographed from a number of unusual and illuminating angles. His main works are shown full page, a number of them in colour, and there is an exhaustive catalogue at the back showing all of his work with informative information on each. Consequently Rudolf Wittkower has produced a book that not only looks good as a coffee table browse but which contains much detailed information of enormous interest to anyone interested in this great sculptor's work at any level.

Hundertwasser, 22 Mar 2005
A really nice book. visually stunning with lots of pictures not only on Hundertwasser's work but, also himself. This book has it all in an conveniant size and doesn't sacrifice anything. Contains details and images of Hundertwasser's skills including painting, stamps, tokens, and architecture to his own clothing. A really good all round book to get you started with alot of information.

It is hard work, but worth it., 03 Nov 2003
This book differs significantly form other books in Taschen's Basic Art series. The others are written as pretty straight, linear and accessible accounts of the life and work of the artist in question. This book was written by Pierre Restany who was a friend of Hundertwasser's and is a rather more subjective account of his work structured around his theory of the The Five Skins. The style is not as accessible for a casual reader but if you make the effort you will understand Hundertwasser's ideas. This is well worth the effort as Hundertwasser is an important artist who's significance is often overlooked. The book is well illustrated and you certainly can't complain about the price.

Every time I paint a portrait , I lose a friend , 20 Aug 2008
Sargent said. Well, then he must have lost a lot of friends and lucky for us as he left amazing protraits.

This book is the first in a trilogy of portrait volumes by Sargent.

I always loved his paintings as they reveal much about the individuality and personality of the sitters.


If one loves portraits, this is a book or better the triology one does not want to miss.



Every time I paint a portrait , I lose a friend , 20 Aug 2008

Sargent said. Well, then he must have lost a lot of friends and lucky for us as he left amazing protraits.

This book is number two of the trilogy of portrait volumes by Sargent

I have always loved his paintings as they reveal much about the individuality and personality of the sitters.

If one loves portraits, this is a book or better this triology one does not want to miss

Every time I paint a portrait , I lose a friend , 20 Aug 2008
Sargent said. Well, then he must have lost a lot of friends and lucky for us as he left amazing protraits.

This book completes the trilogy of portrait volumes by Sargent

I always loved his paintings as they reveal much about the individuality and personality of the sitters.


With over two hundred portraits and portrait sketches in oil and watercolor painted between 1900 and the artist's death in 1925, this book lets you dive into the world of one of the best portrait painters of his time. If one loves portraits, this is a book or better the triology one does not want to miss.



A magnificent collection with high quality prints., 23 Mar 2004
An absolutely superb collection of paintings by the renowned artist John Singer Sargent. The paintings themselves are, for the most part, printed in high-quality colour. Having viewed some of Sargents paintings in the museum, this collection is about as good as it gets without having to travel around the globe to view his paintings. The book itself is a sturdy hardback with good-quality binding. The book contains a large amount of information about each painting, from small biographies of the sitters themselves to commentaries about Sargent's relationships with his various clients. Even included are small items like preparitory sketches and information relating to Sargent's studio and residence.

Quite simply, an excellent resource. Expensive, but well worth obtaining a copy.

Excellect reproductions!, 08 Jul 1998
This was the finest quality art book we have seen in a long time! The reproductions are excellent. It is obvious that much care and consideration went into the production of this book. The 'stories' that caption each image are in depth and enthralling, pulling information from obscure resources and contemporary letters and diary entries. The sitters' personalities are really brought to life.

We would have been willing to pay much more for a book of this quality and scope. This has been our best art purchase in years! We are eagerly awaiting the publication of volume two.

A great sculptor's work beautifully presented, 22 Dec 2006
The photographs in this book are suberb, with several of Bernini's greatest works photographed from a number of unusual and illuminating angles. His main works are shown full page, a number of them in colour, and there is an exhaustive catalogue at the back showing all of his work with informative information on each. Consequently Rudolf Wittkower has produced a book that not only looks good as a coffee table browse but which contains much detailed information of enormous interest to anyone interested in this great sculptor's work at any level.

Hundertwasser, 22 Mar 2005
A really nice book. visually stunning with lots of pictures not only on Hundertwasser's work but, also himself. This book has it all in an conveniant size and doesn't sacrifice anything. Contains details and images of Hundertwasser's skills including painting, stamps, tokens, and architecture to his own clothing. A really good all round book to get you started with alot of information.

It is hard work, but worth it., 03 Nov 2003
This book differs significantly form other books in Taschen's Basic Art series. The others are written as pretty straight, linear and accessible accounts of the life and work of the artist in question. This book was written by Pierre Restany who was a friend of Hundertwasser's and is a rather more subjective account of his work structured around his theory of the The Five Skins. The style is not as accessible for a casual reader but if you make the effort you will understand Hundertwasser's ideas. This is well worth the effort as Hundertwasser is an important artist who's significance is often overlooked. The book is well illustrated and you certainly can't complain about the price.

Every time I paint a portrait , I lose a friend , 20 Aug 2008
Sargent said. Well, then he must have lost a lot of friends and lucky for us as he left amazing protraits.

This book is the first in a trilogy of portrait volumes by Sargent.

I always loved his paintings as they reveal much about the individuality and personality of the sitters.


If one loves portraits, this is a book or better the triology one does not want to miss.



Every time I paint a portrait , I lose a friend , 20 Aug 2008

Sargent said. Well, then he must have lost a lot of friends and lucky for us as he left amazing protraits.

This book is number two of the trilogy of portrait volumes by Sargent

I have always loved his paintings as they reveal much about the individuality and personality of the sitters.

If one loves portraits, this is a book or better this triology one does not want to miss

Every time I paint a portrait , I lose a friend , 20 Aug 2008
Sargent said. Well, then he must have lost a lot of friends and lucky for us as he left amazing protraits.

This book completes the trilogy of portrait volumes by Sargent

I always loved his paintings as they reveal much about the individuality and personality of the sitters.


With over two hundred portraits and portrait sketches in oil and watercolor painted between 1900 and the artist's death in 1925, this book lets you dive into the world of one of the best portrait painters of his time. If one loves portraits, this is a book or better the triology one does not want to miss.



A magnificent collection with high quality prints., 23 Mar 2004
An absolutely superb collection of paintings by the renowned artist John Singer Sargent. The paintings themselves are, for the most part, printed in high-quality colour. Having viewed some of Sargents paintings in the museum, this collection is about as good as it gets without having to travel around the globe to view his paintings. The book itself is a sturdy hardback with good-quality binding. The book contains a large amount of information about each painting, from small biographies of the sitters themselves to commentaries about Sargent's relationships with his various clients. Even included are small items like preparitory sketches and information relating to Sargent's studio and residence.

Quite simply, an excellent resource. Expensive, but well worth obtaining a copy.

Excellect reproductions!, 08 Jul 1998
This was the finest quality art book we have seen in a long time! The reproductions are excellent. It is obvious that much care and consideration went into the production of this book. The 'stories' that caption each image are in depth and enthralling, pulling information from obscure resources and contemporary letters and diary entries. The sitters' personalities are really brought to life.

We would have been willing to pay much more for a book of this quality and scope. This has been our best art purchase in years! We are eagerly awaiting the publication of volume two.

America the lonely, 17 Oct 2007
In the fine tradition of Winslow Homer & Andrew Wyeth, Edward Hopper looks closely at modern America & under his scrutiny the awful isolation of the beautiful countryside and the desperate loneliness of the city are laid bare. No Norman Rockwell sentimentality here, Bierstadt's mythical land that never was and the new wave of lichenstein, O'keefe & Pollock are all eschewed for a long hard stare that in the end leaves the viewer uncomfortable & saddened because we are in there somewhere.
That's not to say Hopper's work is any less beautiful of stirring it's simply more honest than most and so such classics as 'Nighthawks','Gas' & 'summertime' are all people in isolation,(even when there are others around), and there is always shadow waiting to be returned to.
More relevant than ever and as stunning as his work has always been this collection is about as good as it is going to get without owning an original! The 3 volumes here are superbly bound in terracotta cloth and contained in a matching slipcase, as is the slim CD 'book' that contains boundless exhibition & listing information,(PC only so no help to us Mac owners I'm afraid),.
Instead of being a mind numbing trawl through every minutiae the 3 volumes offer a wealth of information on both Hopper & his works without descending into needless facts. The real point is of course to own a set containg not just everything he has done but in style and this is where this set outdoes everything else. The paper quality is excellent and the colour bright but natural with a huge swathe of large colour plates that really do justice to the paintings.
If you love the work of this enigmatic, quiet & beautifully gifted man from Nyack then this is a real treat not to be missed if at all possible.
However it cannot be avoided that this is an expensive collection that not all will be happy to spend so much on. With that in mind I heartily recommend the smaller & more sensibly priced,(from £4-£5), book 'Hopper' by the ever reliable Taschen ISBN 3822820490 also available from Amazon. The information is very good & the selection & quality of printing of the works chosen makes it a bargain.
Whichever you choose & whether you are familiar with his work or not Edward Hopper deserves your attention.

A great sculptor's work beautifully presented, 22 Dec 2006
The photographs in this book are suberb, with several of Bernini's greatest works photographed from a number of unusual and illuminating angles. His main works are shown full page, a number of them in colour, and there is an exhaustive catalogue at the back showing all of his work with informative information on each. Consequently Rudolf Wittkower has produced a book that not only looks good as a coffee table browse but which contains much detailed information of enormous interest to anyone interested in this great sculptor's work at any level.

Hundertwasser, 22 Mar 2005
A really nice book. visually stunning with lots of pictures not only on Hundertwasser's work but, also himself. This book has it all in an conveniant size and doesn't sacrifice anything. Contains details and images of Hundertwasser's skills including painting, stamps, tokens, and architecture to his own clothing. A really good all round book to get you started with alot of information.

It is hard work, but worth it., 03 Nov 2003
This book differs significantly form other books in Taschen's Basic Art series. The others are written as pretty straight, linear and accessible accounts of the life and work of the artist in question. This book was written by Pierre Restany who was a friend of Hundertwasser's and is a rather more subjective account of his work structured around his theory of the The Five Skins. The style is not as accessible for a casual reader but if you make the effort you will understand Hundertwasser's ideas. This is well worth the effort as Hundertwasser is an important artist who's significance is often overlooked. The book is well illustrated and you certainly can't complain about the price.

Every time I paint a portrait , I lose a friend , 20 Aug 2008
Sargent said. Well, then he must have lost a lot of friends and lucky for us as he left amazing protraits.

This book is the first in a trilogy of portrait volumes by Sargent.

I always loved his paintings as they reveal much about the individuality and personality of the sitters.


If one loves portraits, this is a book or better the triology one does not want to miss.



Every time I paint a portrait , I lose a friend , 20 Aug 2008

Sargent said. Well, then he must have lost a lot of friends and lucky for us as he left amazing protraits.

This book is number two of the trilogy of portrait volumes by Sargent

I have always loved his paintings as they reveal much about the individuality and personality of the sitters.

If one loves portraits, this is a book or better this triology one does not want to miss

Every time I paint a portrait , I lose a friend , 20 Aug 2008
Sargent said. Well, then he must have lost a lot of friends and lucky for us as he left amazing protraits.

This book completes the trilogy of portrait volumes by Sargent

I always loved his paintings as they reveal much about the individuality and personality of the sitters.


With over two hundred portraits and portrait sketches in oil and watercolor painted between 1900 and the artist's death in 1925, this book lets you dive into the world of one of the best portrait painters of his time. If one loves portraits, this is a book or better the triology one does not want to miss.



A magnificent collection with high quality prints., 23 Mar 2004
An absolutely superb collection of paintings by the renowned artist John Singer Sargent. The paintings themselves are, for the most part, printed in high-quality colour. Having viewed some of Sargents paintings in the museum, this collection is about as good as it gets without having to travel around the globe to view his paintings. The book itself is a sturdy hardback with good-quality binding. The book contains a large amount of information about each painting, from small biographies of the sitters themselves to commentaries about Sargent's relationships with his various clients. Even included are small items like preparitory sketches and information relating to Sargent's studio and residence.

Quite simply, an excellent resource. Expensive, but well worth obtaining a copy.

Excellect reproductions!, 08 Jul 1998
This was the finest quality art book we have seen in a long time! The reproductions are excellent. It is obvious that much care and consideration went into the production of this book. The 'stories' that caption each image are in depth and enthralling, pulling information from obscure resources and contemporary letters and diary entries. The sitters' personalities are really brought to life.

We would have been willing to pay much more for a book of this quality and scope. This has been our best art purchase in years! We are eagerly awaiting the publication of volume two.

America the lonely, 17 Oct 2007
In the fine tradition of Winslow Homer & Andrew Wyeth, Edward Hopper looks closely at modern America & under his scrutiny the awful isolation of the beautiful countryside and the desperate loneliness of the city are laid bare. No Norman Rockwell sentimentality here, Bierstadt's mythical land that never was and the new wave of lichenstein, O'keefe & Pollock are all eschewed for a long hard stare that in the end leaves the viewer uncomfortable & saddened because we are in there somewhere.
That's not to say Hopper's work is any less beautiful of stirring it's simply more honest than most and so such classics as 'Nighthawks','Gas' & 'summertime' are all people in isolation,(even when there are others around), and there is always shadow waiting to be returned to.
More relevant than ever and as stunning as his work has always been this collection is about as good as it is going to get without owning an original! The 3 volumes here are superbly bound in terracotta cloth and contained in a matching slipcase, as is the slim CD 'book' that contains boundless exhibition & listing information,(PC only so no help to us Mac owners I'm afraid),.
Instead of being a mind numbing trawl through every minutiae the 3 volumes offer a wealth of information on both Hopper & his works without descending into needless facts. The real point is of course to own a set containg not just everything he has done but in style and this is where this set outdoes everything else. The paper quality is excellent and the colour bright but natural with a huge swathe of large colour plates that really do justice to the paintings.
If you love the work of this enigmatic, quiet & beautifully gifted man from Nyack then this is a real treat not to be missed if at all possible.
However it cannot be avoided that this is an expensive collection that not all will be happy to spend so much on. With that in mind I heartily recommend the smaller & more sensibly priced,(from £4-£5), book 'Hopper' by the ever reliable Taschen ISBN 3822820490 also available from Amazon. The information is very good & the selection & quality of printing of the works chosen makes it a bargain.
Whichever you choose & whether you are familiar with his work or not Edward Hopper deserves your attention.

Reynolds in the Round, 14 Jul 2003
Mannings superb two-volumes provide details of all of Reynolds' paintings and illustrations are given of nearly every work discussed. There is detailed information on the provenance of each work, a brief biography of the sitter, in the case of the portraits -which constitute the great majority of the artist's work - and careful links to the entries in Reynolds diary of appointments where they are extant.

This is a work of eminent scholarship which will be a source of pleasure and instruction to anyone who has an interest in Enlgish 18th century art. There are invaluable appendices which list the portraits by their current location and chronolgy as well as a detailed index.

This book could hardly be bettered.