Antoine Watteau; one of the most mysterious painters who ever lived; is the inspiration for this delightful investigation of the tangled relationship between art and life. Weaving together historical fact and personal reflections; the influential art critic Jed Perl reconstructs the amazing story of this pioneering bohemian artist who; although he died in 1721; when he was only thirty-six; has influenced innumerable painters and writers in the centuries sincemdash;and whose work continues to deepen our understanding of the place that love; friendship; and pleasure have in our daily lives.Perl creates an astonishing experience by gathering his reflections on this ldquo;master of silken surfaces and elusive emotionsrdquo; in the form of an alphabetmdash;a fairy tale for adultsmdash;giving us a new way to think about art. This brilliant collage of a book is a hunt for the treasure of Watteaursquo;s life and vision that encompasses the glamour and intrigue of eighteenth-century Paris; the riotous history of Harlequin and Pierrot; and the work of such modern giants as Ceacute;zanne; Picasso; and Samuel Beckett.By turns somber and beguiling; analytical and impressionistic; Antoinersquo;s Alphabet reaffirms the contemporary relevance of the greatest of all painters of young love and imperishable dreams. It is a book to savor; to share; to return to again and again.
#4250205 in eBooks 2008-04-21 2008-04-21File Name: B001E97BMG
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Enjoy This Enlightening Book!By D.J. FryA wonderful book with all the information you want to know about Latinos in Pasadena. The information in this book is valuable to all Latinos that reside in or around Pasadena. From the early years with horse drawn buggies to the modern day with all of its busy freeways; the book relates to the Latino heritage of the people; where they come from and how they settled in Pasadena California. I have a copy and enjoyed the read.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Eulalia PerezBy delmarcyI am thrilled how many books reveal my families deep history; as the family historian an Im honored to be included .3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. ENLIGHTENING INFORMATION!By Thelma T. ReynaRoberta Martinez book is part of the nationwide photographic; historical book series called "Images of America." Robertas ties to Pasadena; California; are substantial. She is much more besides a writer. She is well-known as a community activist; historian; lecturer; city commissioner; television producer; arts trustee; and advisor for the Pasadena Historical Museum and local school district. In her book; Roberta culled archival photos; newspaper articles; academic research papers; a local history project completed for Pasadena in 1995; and countless oral anecdotes and privately-owned vintage photo collections. She wove all her findings into a beautiful little book that traces "the legacies of Mexican-Americans and other Latino men and women who often worked for Pasadenas rich and famous...for generations."Each photo in this book is accompanied with historical explanations that help readers understand the impact of Latinos in Pasadenas evolution. Early Pasadena Latino settlers were mostly migrants and immigrants; but Pasadena is now about one-fourth Latino; and Robertas book explores "the complexity of community and individual identity" that has led to the Latino presence being felt and respected in high levels across our city today; from the superintendent of schools; to school board members; city council members; prominent professionals; and others in leadership roles.Roberta has left open the possibility of writing and publishing additional volumes in the near future; since "there still is so much more to be shared." I enthusiastically await her next book.
