Picasso and the Painting That Shocked the World
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,History & Criticism
Picasso and the Painting That Shocked the World Details
Review “The birth of modernism a century ago was one of history's greatest moments of creative disruption, including Einstein's physics, Stravinsky's music, and the writings of Joyce and Proust. One major spark was an astonishing painting by Picasso, and Miles Unger brings us both the drama and brilliance of that creation in this thrilling book.” -- Walter Isaacson, author of Leonardo da Vinci“Riveting. . . . This engrossing book chronicles with precision and enthusiasm a painting with lasting impact in today’s art world.”, Publishers Weekly (starred review)"Bohemian Montmartre comes brilliantly to life, as do the artist’s struggles.", The New Yorker"An engrossing read. . . . Unger draws not just from his own wide knowledge and considered taste but from an imposing array of journals, memoirs, biographies and periodicals. From these he offers a historically and psychologically rich account of the young Picasso and his coteries in Barcelona and Paris." -- Alexander C. Kafka, The Washington Post"This excellent narrative by art historian and journalist Miles Unger culminates in Pablo Picasso’s creation of 'Les Demoiselles d’Avignon' in 1907. In exploring the groundbreaking work, Unger combines the personal story of Picasso’s early years in Paris – his friendships, his romances, his great ambition, his fears – with the larger story of modernism and the avant-garde.", Christian Science Monitor"[A] vibrant biography. . . . Unger succeeds in making Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, the book’s titular painting, accessible. Heady modern art is made over as approachable and exciting.", Booklist Read more About the Author Miles J. Unger writes on art, books, and culture for The Economist. Formerly the managing editor of Art New England, he was a contributing writer to The New York Times. He is the author of Picasso and the Painting That Shocked the World; The Watercolors of Winslow Homer; Magnifico: The Brilliant Life and Violent Times of Lorenzo de’ Medici; Machiavelli: A Biography; and Michelangelo: A Life in Six Masterpieces. Visit MilesJunger.com. Read more See all Editorial Reviews
Reviews
This biography has received good reviews. One NYTimes reviewer was positive but suggested that a reader should consider first reading Sue Roe's "In Montmartre" as it covers much of the same ground but in a more "overview" way that gives you a larger feel for Picasso and the other painters pursuing goals similar to those of Picasso. In addition, Roe's book is written in a smooth, descriptive style. I agree with both of these points. You get a real a feel for the "zeitgeist" of the Paris art world as the modernist art movement developed and evolved thru the work of many artists of the time leading to Picasso's successes. A second reviewer in the NYTimes also praised Unger's work but noted that his florid, purple prose got intrusive and tiring as you progressed thru the book; tho it still was an important work on Picasso. This writing style was a major, off-putting factor for me in reading Unger's book.
