National Art Education Association

Kandinsky: Watercolors, Drawings, WritingsReview by: Grose EvansArt Education, Vol. 15, No. 3 (Mar., 1962), p. 21Published by: National Art Education AssociationStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3186632 .

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in this maze of imagery, we do best, perhaps, to begin by studying the pictures with our eyes, without seek-

ing to penetrate its secrets." I recommend studying these excellent pictures-all

in color-with magnifying glass in hand. They teem with symbolism, a fantastic dream-like profusion of

beauty and horror, of sensuality and innocence. The richness of imagination, the pure virtuosity of the

painter is a continual delight. For instance, on page 46 study the picture of Gaspar, the King of the East, from the central panel of the Prado triptych "Adora- tion of the Magi". The detail of the rich robes, the

jewels, the fabulous gift for the Christ Child, the

gorgeously arrayed small attendant-exquisite, all of it!

This excellent book ends with complete bibliography, chief exhibitions, index, and list of colorplates.

Jewel H. Conover, S.U.N.Y., Fredonia, N. Y.

Kandinsky: Watercolors, Drawings, Writings, intro- duction by Jean Cassou, 12" x 13", 56 pages, 33 illustrations including 16 in color, Harry N. Ab-

rams, New York, 1961, price $17.50.

As the first artist to paint a non-objective picture (1910) and as the pioneer in suggesting emotions

simply in color, line, and shape, Kandinsky has great stature today when Abstract Expressionism is the dominant art form. This publication offers sixteen

splendid water colors, handsomely matted and even removable from the volume for separate study. These

plates are evenly divided between his early free style and the later tight, geometric manner adopted after he joined the staff of the Bauhaus, 1920, in Weimar.

Too little of Kandinsky's writing is included. Only the introduction to his book, Concerning the Spiritual in Art, is completely reprinted. His important ideas on color are not touched upon here, nor are they mentioned in the fragmentary excerpts from his writ-

ings which are spotted between the illustrations. These

jottings-varying from the philosophical to the infan- tile-seem to bear little relationship to the pictures; they are simply witty or profound sayings. Jean Cassou's short introduction recounts some events of

Kandinsky's life and correlates his art with the writ-

ings of Worringer, Bergson, Maeterlinck, and Kubin, none of whom are well known to American readers. Cassou is at his best when he gives personal reactions to the color plates, but he does not state Kandinsky's aims or fully describe his achievement. The book is a very handsome one and those who understand and love Kandinsky's work will take great pleasure in con-

sidering the fine plates and meditating on the sayings of this important founder of modern art.

Grose Evans, National Gallery of Art.

in this maze of imagery, we do best, perhaps, to begin by studying the pictures with our eyes, without seek-

ing to penetrate its secrets." I recommend studying these excellent pictures-all

in color-with magnifying glass in hand. They teem with symbolism, a fantastic dream-like profusion of

beauty and horror, of sensuality and innocence. The richness of imagination, the pure virtuosity of the

painter is a continual delight. For instance, on page 46 study the picture of Gaspar, the King of the East, from the central panel of the Prado triptych "Adora- tion of the Magi". The detail of the rich robes, the

jewels, the fabulous gift for the Christ Child, the

gorgeously arrayed small attendant-exquisite, all of it!

This excellent book ends with complete bibliography, chief exhibitions, index, and list of colorplates.

Jewel H. Conover, S.U.N.Y., Fredonia, N. Y.

Kandinsky: Watercolors, Drawings, Writings, intro- duction by Jean Cassou, 12" x 13", 56 pages, 33 illustrations including 16 in color, Harry N. Ab-

rams, New York, 1961, price $17.50.

As the first artist to paint a non-objective picture (1910) and as the pioneer in suggesting emotions

simply in color, line, and shape, Kandinsky has great stature today when Abstract Expressionism is the dominant art form. This publication offers sixteen

splendid water colors, handsomely matted and even removable from the volume for separate study. These

plates are evenly divided between his early free style and the later tight, geometric manner adopted after he joined the staff of the Bauhaus, 1920, in Weimar.

Too little of Kandinsky's writing is included. Only the introduction to his book, Concerning the Spiritual in Art, is completely reprinted. His important ideas on color are not touched upon here, nor are they mentioned in the fragmentary excerpts from his writ-

ings which are spotted between the illustrations. These

jottings-varying from the philosophical to the infan- tile-seem to bear little relationship to the pictures; they are simply witty or profound sayings. Jean Cassou's short introduction recounts some events of

Kandinsky's life and correlates his art with the writ-

ings of Worringer, Bergson, Maeterlinck, and Kubin, none of whom are well known to American readers. Cassou is at his best when he gives personal reactions to the color plates, but he does not state Kandinsky's aims or fully describe his achievement. The book is a very handsome one and those who understand and love Kandinsky's work will take great pleasure in con-

sidering the fine plates and meditating on the sayings of this important founder of modern art.

Grose Evans, National Gallery of Art.

EUROPEAN

ART STUDY TOUR

Transportation, food, housing

Acad. Cred. 2-6 Qu. Hrs. $1000

July 14-Aug. 27, by charter plane from

Nashville or New York

Tour I Northern route Tour II Southern route Travel & study by charter bus, buildings, museums, perform- ances, lecture. No prerequisites.

Tour III London, Paris, Vienna, Rome, environs by train. Major cultural centers, lectures, performances. Prerequisite Art History and related courses.

^^k (\ ^ PeabodyCollege For Teachers

_^| Y^___i] ^Nashville 5,

For details and reservations write: Dr.

A. L. Freundlich, Chairman of the Arts

EUROPEAN

ART STUDY TOUR

Transportation, food, housing

Acad. Cred. 2-6 Qu. Hrs. $1000

July 14-Aug. 27, by charter plane from

Nashville or New York

Tour I Northern route Tour II Southern route Travel & study by charter bus, buildings, museums, perform- ances, lecture. No prerequisites.

Tour III London, Paris, Vienna, Rome, environs by train. Major cultural centers, lectures, performances. Prerequisite Art History and related courses.

^^k (\ ^ PeabodyCollege For Teachers

_^| Y^___i] ^Nashville 5,

For details and reservations write: Dr.

A. L. Freundlich, Chairman of the Arts

H 'T Published

HI1fl(IWP 11/PV Quarterly

H andw ea r Sample copy FREE & Craftsman to schools

I yr $4 2 yrs $7.50 3 yrs $10 5 yrs $15

Handweaver & Craftsman 246 FIFTH AVE., NEW YORK 1 OREGON 9-2748

H 'T Published

HI1fl(IWP 11/PV Quarterly

H andw ea r Sample copy FREE & Craftsman to schools

I yr $4 2 yrs $7.50 3 yrs $10 5 yrs $15

Handweaver & Craftsman 246 FIFTH AVE., NEW YORK 1 OREGON 9-2748

Send for Your Free Copyl

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Hotpack kilns Enameled tiles

Jewelry kits Metal shapes

Tools and accessories Liquid enamels

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OF CRAFT SUPPLIES A complete line of supplies for enameling, ceramics, and other crafts. Order from one source for fast shipment and low price. Over 200 enamel colors listed, more than 50 jewelry items, an outstanding selection of copper trays, bowls, and free form pieces.

THOMAS C. THOMPSON CO. Dept. OT 1539 DEERFIELD ROAD

HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS

MARCH 1962 MARCH 1962 21 21

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