- Hardcover: 328 pages
- Publisher: Princeton University Press (12 Dec 1995)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0691044198
- ISBN-13: 978-0691044194
- Product Dimensions: 24.3 x 16.2 x 2.9 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,218,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Much in Gino Severini's recollections is the day-to-day gossip of modernism at its peak.... Some of the most exciting movements in twentieth-century art.
Product Description
In 1906 the Italian Futurist painter Gino Severini arrived in Paris's Montparnasse with no money, no name, and no acquaintances, only to become a key protagonist in the artistic and literary circles that would spearhead the Modernist movement. His autobiography from this period, translated for the first time into English, tells the story of the Parisian art world he knew so well, and offers an account of the individuals and ideas that created Modernism. Here we encounter painters and sculptors such as Picasso, Matisse, Braque, Modigliani, Gris, Arp, Lipschitz, Leger, Duty, and De Chirico; literary figures such as Apollinaire, Marinetti, Paul Fort, Breton, Gide, Cocteau, Reverdy, Jarry; and also the philosopher and writer Maritain, composers Satie and Stravinsky, and the impresario of the Ballets Russes, Sergei Diaghilev. Severini met them in the studios, galleries, and cafes of Montmartre and Montparnasse, and re-creates the passionate debates that animated those gatherings. We witness not only the maturing of Severini's art and aesthetic theory but also the intellectual and political turbulence that surrounded the emergence of Cubism, Constructivism, Dadaism, Surrealism, Futurism, and Metaphysical painting. Beginning with a description of his financially ill-fated family in Tuscany, Severini goes on to describe the triumphs and mistakes of his adolescence and the Roman art scene, where he fraternised with Balla and Boccioni. His down-to-earth tone pervades his anecdotes and assessments of the Italian and Parisian art world, enabling a casual reader to grasp the many issues at stake. As Severini's status as an important Futurist painter gains widespread recognition, this autobiography serves as a resource for critics and an account for anyone interested in learning more about this artist who lived at one of the richest crossroads in the history of Western culture.
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2 reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
An insider's look into the world of modern art
22 Aug 2005
Format:Hardcover
This book is neither a picture book nor a manifesto. It's a well-written artist's autobiography, something that is unfortunately quite rare. Severini is not a household name today, but he was a major player in the Paris art world of the early twentieth century. Best known as a Futurist painter, he describes himself as a reluctant member of that movement, and he dabbled in several "isms" over the course of his career. His close personal friends included Picasso, Braque, Gris, Modigliani, Apollinaire, and Cocteau. His acquaintances included just about every famous modern artist in Paris, Rome, and Milan, as well as many you've never heard of. His greatest achievement in this book is to diagram, by means of personal anecdotes, the motivations and theoretical concepts of all these artists and their movements, how they influenced one another and how they contributed to the growing, shifting entity that was "modern art."
In addition to painting, he includes literature, theatre, music, and architecture in his scope. Along the way, he gives vivid descriptions of the bohemian cafe life of Paris, and the occupational hardships of a (sometimes literally) starving artist. There's also some fascinating stuff about the business side of art--working with galleries, dealers, and clients--at a period in history when, much to the chagrin of the author, art started to become less about craft and more and more about commerce. Sometimes when talking about his own work, the author's prose devolves into unintelligible artspeak, though that may be the fault of the translator. Severini is much more knowledgeable about poetry and philosophy than I am, so some of his discussions in those areas were way over my head. Such passages are brief, however, and 90% of the book was enjoyable and informative. I'm not a huge fan of Severini's painting, but his book pleasantly surprised me.
In addition to painting, he includes literature, theatre, music, and architecture in his scope. Along the way, he gives vivid descriptions of the bohemian cafe life of Paris, and the occupational hardships of a (sometimes literally) starving artist. There's also some fascinating stuff about the business side of art--working with galleries, dealers, and clients--at a period in history when, much to the chagrin of the author, art started to become less about craft and more and more about commerce. Sometimes when talking about his own work, the author's prose devolves into unintelligible artspeak, though that may be the fault of the translator. Severini is much more knowledgeable about poetry and philosophy than I am, so some of his discussions in those areas were way over my head. Such passages are brief, however, and 90% of the book was enjoyable and informative. I'm not a huge fan of Severini's painting, but his book pleasantly surprised me.
0 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Life of a painter-Gino Severini
24 Jan 2002
Format:Hardcover
Terse and dense manifesto, not a picture book
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