Title
Amazing Grace: A Life of Beauford Delaney,Used
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Described by those who knew him best as a Buddha, a Merlin, and 'a cross between Brer Rabbit and St. Francis of Assisi,' the artist Beauford Delaney was anything but ordinary. James Baldwin, his closest friend, wrote that 'He has been starving and working all of his lifein Tennessee, in Boston, in New York, and now in Paris. He has been menaced more than any other man I know by his social circumstances and also by all the emotional and psychological stratagems he has been forced to use to survive; and, more than any other man I know, he has transcended both the inner and the outer darkness.' Indeed, these themesgrinding poverty, excruciating psychological torment, and the transcendence of inner and outer darkness through the light of his artgive shape and drama to Beauford Delaney's most extraordinary life.In Amazing Grace: A Biography of Beauford Delaney David Leeming, author of the acclaimed life of James Baldwin, tells the story of one of the most important black artists of our time with an affection, tact, and insight all too rare in recent biography. In chronicling Delaney's remarkable trajectory from a strong religious family in Knoxville to his death in an Parisian insane asylum, Leeming maintains a dual focus on Delaney's troubled inner lifehis complicated homosexuality and the 'voices' that would drive him madand his vibrant external lifehis friendships with an amazing range of writers, artists, and musicians. Delaney seems to have known everyone, from Henry Miller, Jean Genet, Countee Cullen, and Elizabeth Bishop to Al Hirshfield, W.C. Handy, Alfred Steiglitz, Georgia O'Keeffe, Louis Armstrong, and virtually every other significant creative figure in New York and Paris. In many ways, Delaney's life focuses the major currents of twentieth century art. Leeming quotes generously from the journals, notebooks, letters, and critical reviews, tracing Delaney's movement away from representationthe street scenes and portraits of his 'blues aesthetic'into the abstract paintings where his dominant concern is with the 'architecture' of color and a religious sense of light that 'held the power to illuminate, even to redeem and reconcile and heal.' Along the way, we're treated to a wealth of delightful anecdotesDelaney in the manner of a Zen master telling James Baldwin to look at the water standing in a gutter; William de Kooning trying to tell Delaney how to market his work better and Delaney responding by rolling his eyes, patting de Kooning on the shoulder, and saying 'Bless you, child'; Delaney immersed in the cafe life of Greenwich Village and Montparnasse, painting in his unheated studio in a parka and wool hat, giving away to friends and strangers what little money came to him.Amazing Grace illuminates both the work and milieu of a major black talent and gives us a portrait of a man spiritually devoted to his art, a man we would have very much liked to know and who, after closing the book, we feel we have known.
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- Q: What are the dimensions of the book? A: The book measures approximately five point nine one inches in length, one point one inches in width, and nine point three inches in height.
- Q: How many pages does this book have? A: This book contains two hundred fifty-six pages, providing a detailed exploration of Beauford Delaney's life.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This book is bound in hardcover, offering durability and a premium feel.
- Q: Who is the author of 'Amazing Grace: A Life of Beauford Delaney'? A: The author of this biography is David Leeming, known for his insightful writing on significant cultural figures.
- Q: What genre does this book belong to? A: This book falls under the biography genre, specifically focusing on individual artists.
- Q: How do I read this book? A: You can read this book by simply opening it and following the text from the beginning to the end, as it tells a chronological story.
- Q: Is this book suitable for young readers? A: This book is recommended for adult readers due to its complex themes and mature subject matter.
- Q: How can I care for this hardcover book? A: To keep this book in good condition, store it upright in a cool, dry place and avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
- Q: Can I clean the book if it gets dirty? A: Yes, you can gently wipe the cover with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust or smudges without damaging the pages.
- Q: What should I do if the book arrives damaged? A: If the book arrives damaged, contact the seller within a specified return period for assistance and possible replacement.
- Q: How does this biography compare to other artist biographies? A: This biography offers a unique perspective on Beauford Delaney, focusing on his emotional struggles and artistic evolution, making it distinct from others.
- Q: Is this book a good choice for someone interested in modern art? A: Yes, this book is an excellent choice for those interested in modern art, as it delves into the life of a pivotal figure in the art world.
- Q: What themes are explored in this biography? A: The biography explores themes of poverty, psychological torment, and the transformative power of art in Beauford Delaney's life.
- Q: Who were some of Beauford Delaney's notable friends? A: Beauford Delaney had friendships with many notable figures, including James Baldwin, Henry Miller, and Georgia O’Keeffe.
- Q: Does the book include personal anecdotes? A: Yes, the book is rich with delightful anecdotes that illustrate Delaney's personality and interactions with other artists.