From Henry Dargers elaborate paintings of young girls caught in a vicious war to the sacred art of the Reverend Howard Finster; the work of outsider artists has achieved unique status in the art world. Celebrated for their lack of traditional training and their position on the fringes of society; outsider artists nonetheless participate in a traditional network of value; status; and money. After spending years immersed in the world of self-taught artists; Gary Alan Fine presents Everyday Genius; one of the most insightful and comprehensive examinations of this network and how it confers artistic value.Fine considers the differences among folk art; outsider art; and self-taught art; explaining the economics of this distinctive art market and exploring the dimensions of its artistic production and distribution. Interviewing dealers; collectors; curators; and critics and venturing into the backwoods and inner-city homes of numerous self-taught artists; Fine describes how authenticity is central to the system in which artistsmdash;often poor; elderly; members of a minority group; or mentally illmdash;are seen as having an unfettered form of expression highly valued in the art world. Respected dealers; he shows; have a hand in burnishing biographies of the artists; and both dealers and collectors trade in identities as much as objects.Revealing the inner workings of an elaborate and prestigious world in which money; personalities; and values affect one another; Fine speaks eloquently to both experts and general readers; and provides rare access to a world of creative invention-both by self-taught artists and by those who profit from their work.ldquo;Indispensable for an understanding of this world and its workings. . . . Finersquo;s book is not an attack on the Outsider Art phenomenon. But it is masterful in its anatomization of some of its contradictions; conflicts; pressures; and absurdities.rdquo;mdash;Eric Gibson; Washington Times
#373015 in eBooks 2010-10-05 2010-10-05File Name: B0042JSRH8
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Beautiful story!By Marie WiseLoved this historical narrative. that explains in fascinating terms. the history of The Mystic Lamb. along with the fate of the multitudes of artworks plundered and looted by the Nazis during WWII. The role of the Monuments Men. along with Resistance fighters is made even clearer. even though there is doubt about who the real heroes were. The fact that so much art was preserved is the important fact. Ill never look at art in a museum again without wondering who plundered and looted it from who resulted in me being able to view it at that particular moment. If you love art. history. war strategy and mystery you should read this book!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Reads like Ken Follett or Tom ClancyBy David MellizsonThis comprehensive telling of the incredible story of one of humanitys greatest art treasure reads like a Ken Follett or Tom Clancy novel. except this one is true. Charney calls "The Mystic Lamb" the most stolen art work in history. and in tracing the story keeps dozens of characters clear and countless threads of action understandable. He offers the various theories that surrounds the episodes concerning The Lamb and gives their pros and cons before giving his own conclusions. This is an exceptional volume. Great read!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. European History Lesson at its BestBy C. GottliebI was intrigued by an article in Condeacute; Nast Traveler online something about The Mystic Lamb that piqued my interested. After a search I found this book and loved every bit of it. Not only is it a lesson in art history but mostly European history and how art has played a pivotal role in winning and loosing wars/conflicts over the centuries. The author goes into great detail describing every panel (of the 12 panels) of the Ghent Altarpiece right at the start. It is helpful if you can visualize this masterful work of art in all its glory so I found a great colorful picture on the internet. Now I wish I could see the actual piece in person to appreciate the artists talent as well as size/weight. A lot was devoted with WW2 and how if it wasnt for some very astute persons. the Monument Men and Resistance fighters. we wouldnt know any of this art for it would have been either destroyed at the unraveling of the Germans nearing the end of the war or the selfishness of the higher escilon of the Nazi party taking for themselves. I didnt realize that THE Lincoln Kerstein of the NYC arts/Lincoln Center/ NYC Ballet fame was part of the Monument Men! Lots of very interesting facts about various pieces of art. the establishment of Louvre Museum and intertwined was this Mystic Lamb by Jan van Eyck. stolen. hidden and investigative workings on who the perpetrators were. Wonderful book! If you are a history buff and like art. even better. I would highly recommend.
