Matisse from A to Z - Hardcover

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Grade 3-7?The structure of an alphabet book provides endless opportunities for organizing themes, for employing each letter's availability for identifying some bit of content. Here, a form of faux biography uses each letter's double-page spread to highlight some French word that helps characterize Matisse's life: the Gandoura (a Moroccan dress) points out his North African travels and his love of dressing his models in costumes; Nus (nudes) is the other side of the coin?his involvement with undressed females; etc. Thus readers quickly forget this book's ABCishness and pick up, rather, the tidbits of art, commentary, and gossip that allow them to get to know the artist. They learn of his fondness for light and the color red; of the "clear, crystalline, precise, limpid" atmosphere of France's southern coast; and finally, of the sickness that kept him bedridden and motivated his special brand of collage. Small, carefully reproduced artworks, usually three per spread, illustrate the assorted themes. Even though the book is small, the spare, highly selective, and sensitive text combines with these pictures to create a sense of personality that is often lost in full-blown biographies. A fine introduction to one of Europe's modern masters.?Kenneth Marantz, Art Education Department, Ohio State University, Columbus
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.