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Bernard Berenson: The Making of a Legend,Used
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Controversy swirls around Bernard Berenson today as it did in his middle years, before and between two world wars. Who was this man, this supreme connoisseur of Italian Renaissance painting? How did he support his elegant estate near Florence, his Villa I Tatti? What exactly were his relations with the art dealer Joseph Duveen? What part did his wife, Mary, play in his scholarly work and professional career? The answers are to be found in the daytoday record of his life as he lived itas reported at first hand in his and Mary's letters and diaries and reflected in the countless personal and business letters they received. His is one of the most fully documented lives of this century. Ernest Samuels, having spent twenty years studying the thousands of letters and other manuscripts, presents his story in absorbing detail.Berenson helped Isabella Stewart Gardner build her great collection and performed similar though lesser services for other wealthy Americans. It was merely an avocation and a useful source of income; his vocation was scholarship. But after 1904, when the book opens, his expertise was in evergreater demand: a purchaser's only assurance of the authorship of an Italian painting was the opinion of an expert, and in this field Berenson was preeminent. Increasingly he was drawn into the lucrative world of the art dealers; inevitably Joseph Duveen found it essential to enlist his services, at first ad hoc, then by contractual agreement. Samuels charts the course of Berenson's long association with Duveen Brothers, detailing the financial arrangements, the humdrum chores and major contested attributions, the periodic clashes between the stubborn scholar and the arrogant entrepreneur.The portrayal of Berenson's relationship with Mary is especially intriguing: a union of opposites in all but brains and wit, bondeddespite love affairs, jealousies, recriminationsno longer by passion but by shared concerns. Impinging on their lives are those of a huge circle of friends and acquaintances in America and the beau monde of Europe. Both as biography and as a chapter of social and cultural history, it is a compelling book.
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For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main focus of 'Bernard Berenson: The Making of a Legend'? A: The book focuses on the life and career of Bernard Berenson, a prominent connoisseur of Italian Renaissance painting, exploring his relationships, scholarly work, and influence in the art world.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'Bernard Berenson: The Making of a Legend' is Ernest Samuels, who dedicated twenty years to studying Berenson's letters and manuscripts.
- Q: What type of book is this? A: This book is classified as a biography and criticism, providing both a personal account of Berenson's life and insights into the social and cultural history of the time.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: The book is described as a used book in good condition, indicating that it has been previously owned but is still in a satisfactory state for reading.
- Q: How many pages does the book contain? A: The book contains a total of 680 pages, offering a comprehensive look at Berenson's life and work.
- Q: What format is the book available in? A: The book is available in hardcover format, which typically provides better durability and a more premium feel compared to paperback editions.
- Q: When was 'Bernard Berenson: The Making of a Legend' published? A: The book was published on January 1, 1987.
- Q: What are some key themes discussed in the book? A: Key themes include Berenson's contributions to art scholarship, his relationships with art dealers, and the impact of his personal life on his professional career.
- Q: Is there any information about Berenson's personal life in the book? A: Yes, the book includes detailed accounts of Berenson's personal life, including his marriage to Mary and their complex relationship.
- Q: What makes this biography of Berenson unique? A: This biography is unique due to its extensive documentation, relying on Berenson's letters and diaries, providing an authentic and detailed portrayal of his life.