Edouard Manet: 29 Masterpieces by Louis Hourticq.Eacute;douard Manet (1832ndash;1883) was a French painter. He was one of the first 19th-century artists to paint modern life; and a pivotal figure in the transition from Realism to Impressionism.His early masterworks; The Luncheon on the Grass (Le deacute;jeuner sur lherbe) and Olympia; both 1863; caused great controversy and served as rallying points for the young painters who would create Impressionism. Today; these are considered watershed paintings that mark the genesis of modern art.THERE was a time when the relation of artists and amateurs of art stood on a sound basis. The amateurs were few and cultivated; and with the artists the desire to please was more urgent than the need for being original. This excellent state of affairs had passed away before the nineteenth century; and now the artist cultivates his originality; jealously preserves it; and the audience for which he works has become a multitude. The greater the independence of the artist; the greater the throng about him; shocked and scandalized by his efforts to gain their approbation; efforts for the most part directed towards differentiation between them and himself; and misunderstanding has become so normal that it is hard for us to conceive of a man of genius except as a misunderstood being.
#4077484 in eBooks 2005-11-15 2005-11-15File Name: B00SV93GV2
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Interesting Autobiography and Important Counterpoint to "All Your Dreams Can Come True"By A. LawyerI could almost give it a 5. The book is an interesting; realistic sounding autobiography about a life most of us imagine as more refined. While some reviewers say boring; the authors journey to what seems like success--but still insufficient to maintain a secure career--was interesting enough to turn it into a TV series (which has little relationship to the book). Readers might be referring to the shadow part of the book detailing the partial rise and fall of classical music in popular culture. The book would be better with tighter editing of the shadow part; along with some of the authors autobiography. Still; the book serves as a counterpoint to bromides to pursue your dreams and do what you love. Doing what you love is important; but considering reality for what will sustain you over a working life is at least as important.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. The seedy underbelly and stark realities of classical musicBy Howard Golden Jr.Blair Tindalls biography is a window into the inner workings of classical music-making; sort of the sausage-making processes of this over-glamorized industry. Too many qualified applicants for too few job openings is one of the biggest takeaways of the book; followed by unjustified; bloated salaries of music executives; while the creators of these arts are the financial "bottom feeders." Much like greater society itself; actually. Theres still plenty of the promised salacious sexual side of that world; for those who are looking for that. Great read.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Parceled it out because I did not want this to endBy Notoriously CleverAn ingenue classical oboist gets an education about the underside of a music career and what it takes to become a member of a famous orchestra. It is an opera of egos; human frailties; sex; inspiration; and fundraising.I also like seeing the lives of the young hopefuls who flock to New York with big dreams and small bank accounts; and how they make the best of their situations while looking for love.I loved it and would recommend to anyone who has even the slightest interest in classical music and creativity.
