Synopses & Reviews
Popular perceptions of Vincent van Gogh (1853and#150;1890) frequently envision the painter working before nature in anand#160;intense frenzy, yet the artistand#8217;s method was often controlled and deliberate. Van Gogh Repetitions is the first book to focus on the artistand#8217;s and#147;repetitions,and#8221; a term he used to describe his process of producing more than one version of a composition. Van Gogh ultimately developed a conceptual framework that distinguished his rand#233;pand#233;titions from copies, and#233;tudes, tableaux, and dand#233;corations, balancing modernist aspirations toward originality with the creation of copies of his existing compositions. The artistand#8217;s practice of producing repetitions was far more extensive and vital to his creative process than is commonly recognized.
In this groundbreaking and beautifully illustrated book, a series of essays considers the many unresolved issues and controversies surrounding the repetitions, including their origins, development, and meaning in van Goghand#8217;s art. Technical and analytical examinations provide new insights into the artistand#8217;s working methods and approach to the creative process.
Review
and#8220;. . . resolve[s] questions . . . that have confounded scholars and fans of van Gogh until now.and#8221;and#8212;Henry Adams, New York Times
Review
Won an Honorable Mention for the 2013 New England Book Festival given by the JM Northern Media Family of Festivals, in the Photography/Art Category.
Review
“Beautiful . . . the kind of book that is both accessible to a general public and valuable to the researcher.”—Cornelia Homburg, Art Newspaper Rathbone - JM Northern Media
Review
andldquo;Beautiful . . . the kind of book that is both accessible to a general public and valuable to the researcher.andrdquo;andmdash;Cornelia Homburg, Art Newspaper
Synopsis
A fascinating look at van Goghand#8217;s and#8220;repetitionsand#8221;and#8212;multiple versions of single compositionsand#8212;and what they reveal about the artist and his creative process
About the Author
Eliza Rathbone is chief curator at The Phillips Collection. William Robinson is curator of modern European art at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Elizabeth Steele is head of conservation at The Phillips Collection. Marcia Steele isand#160;senior conservator of paintings at the Cleveland Museum of Art.