Title
Selected Art Writings: James Schuyler
Processing time: 1-3 days
US Orders Ships in: 3-5 days
International Orders Ships in: 8-12 days
Return Policy: 15-days return on defective items
Payment Option
Product Description A collection of James Schuyler s essays and articles composed mostly for the influential trade periodical Art News during his tenure as associate editor. A vivid composite portrait of the New York art scene of that time, the selection includes pieces on key figures of Abstract Expressionism in its first generation (Gorky, Pollock, Rothko, Kline) and second (Frankenthaler, Hartigan, Rivers); Pop (Rauschenberg, Lichstenstein); and neofigurative (Katz, Freilicher, Porter). Many of the essays are illustrated with photographs of the artworks being discussed.An artist, in the phrase of James Schuyler s close friend the painter Fairfield Porter, is someone who distinguishes endlessly. In his art writings we find poet Schuyler commenting not only as selfeffacing reviewer/reporter but as fully engaged artist, distinguishing endlessly, and with a remarkable loving care, the inexhaustible particulars of meaning revealed by the seen world to its most sensitive observers. From Publishers Weekly Schuyler observed in the late 1950s: In New York, the art world is a painter s world; writers and musicians are in the boat, but they don t steer, and indeed, the New York School of Poets?John Ashbery, Kenneth Koch, Frank O Hara and Schuyler?never achieved the epochal significance of their namesake, the New York School of Painters (including Pollock, Rothko and de Kooning). But the poets participated in the artistic ferment of the period: O Hara, who served as a curator at the Museum of Modern Art, was an art critic; Ashbery and Schuyler, whose poetry won a Pulitzer Prize in 1981, wrote about the visual arts as well. This volume of reviews and essays, completed largely from 1957 to 1962 for the magazine Art News, is somewhat disappointing. Absent a contextualizing foreword, the writing, which in its exuberance and associative logic differs from a midcentury critic s typically cool, analytic prose, is neither erudite nor polished. Because Schuyler was drawn to figurative artists (he lived with the painter Fairfield Porter and his family for 11 years), the bulk of his protracted attention goes to lesserknown artists such as Jane Freilicher. Jasper Johns s early iconic images receive barely two sentences, and Jules Olitiski s colorfield canvases receive no mention at all. Where Schuyler s frequently luminous prose excels is in his descriptions of color, and in his longer essays on Franz Kline and Porter. The book is not well served by the illustrations, which frequently display photographs of the artists rather than examples of their work. Still, if taken on a poet s terms, this introduction to a group of artists overlooked by history comes as a pleasant surprise. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main focus of 'Selected Art Writings: James Schuyler'? A: The book features a collection of essays and articles by James Schuyler, primarily focusing on the New York art scene during his time as an associate editor for Art News. It covers key figures in Abstract Expressionism, Pop art, and neo-figurative art.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'Selected Art Writings: James Schuyler' is James Schuyler, an accomplished poet and art critic.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This book is bound in hardcover, providing durability and a classic presentation.
- Q: How many pages are in 'Selected Art Writings: James Schuyler'? A: The book contains a total of 310 pages.
- Q: When was 'Selected Art Writings: James Schuyler' published? A: The book was published on February 1, 1999.
- Q: What themes are explored in Schuyler's essays? A: Schuyler's essays explore themes related to the New York art scene, the relationship between artists and their work, and the cultural context of the time, often highlighting both well-known and lesser-known figures.
- Q: Are there illustrations in the book? A: Yes, many of the essays are illustrated with photographs of the artworks discussed, although some critics note the illustrations mainly feature artists rather than their works.
- Q: What edition of the book is available? A: This is the first edition of 'Selected Art Writings: James Schuyler', described as the publisher's copy.
- Q: Is this book suitable for art students or professionals? A: Yes, the book can be valuable for art students and professionals interested in the historical context and critique of art during the mid-20th century.
- Q: What can readers expect from Schuyler's writing style? A: Readers can expect a writing style that is exuberant and associative, differing from traditional analytic prose, with a strong focus on color and visual experience.