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The Art Thief, Noah Charney (2007)
What are we learning about art from this book?
"That was the real problem with art crime. It was considered high class...socially acceptable, even thought of as prestigious and intriguing. It was the only serious crime for which the public tended to root for the criminals." (p. 64)
- How to read iconography in art history
- Brief history of art thievery
- Abstract art
- Dilemma of forgery
- The role of provenance in art
- Art professionals such as museum directors, art restorers, artist society members, art professors, etc.
- Experience an art auction
"That was the real problem with art crime. It was considered high class...socially acceptable, even thought of as prestigious and intriguing. It was the only serious crime for which the public tended to root for the criminals." (p. 64)
A Giacometti Portrait, James Lord (1965)
What are we learning about art from this book?
"The experience of posing for Giacometti is deeply personal. . . There is an identification between the model and the artist, via the painting, which gradually seems to become an independent, autonomous entity served by them both, each in his own way and, oddly enough, equally ." (p. 37)
- "Get to know" artist Alberto Giacometti
- The process of painting a portrait
- The experience of sitting for a portrait
"The experience of posing for Giacometti is deeply personal. . . There is an identification between the model and the artist, via the painting, which gradually seems to become an independent, autonomous entity served by them both, each in his own way and, oddly enough, equally ." (p. 37)
Girl With a Pearl Earring, Tracy Chevalier (2001)
What are we learning about art from this book?
"I wanted to wear the mantle and the pearls. I wanted to know the man who painted her like that." (p. 36)
- "Get to know" artist Johannes Vermeer through a fictional depiction
- The process of making paints at this time
- Significance of Lapis Lazuli
- How to use a camera obscura
- Experience sitting for a portrait
- The role and responsibilities of a studio assistant
"I wanted to wear the mantle and the pearls. I wanted to know the man who painted her like that." (p. 36)
I Was Vermeer, Frank Wynne (2006)
What are we learning about art from this book?
"Born out of time, a realistic artist in an age of surrealism and abstractionism, he realized he had only one option open to him: he would become a forger" (p. 84)
- How people studied to become artists at this time
- The science and process of making paints
- What constitutes a forgery
- The role of art professionals such as critics, appraisers, restorers
- The characteristics of artwork by Vermeer
- The political implications of Van Meegeren selling his forgeries to a Nazi leader
"Born out of time, a realistic artist in an age of surrealism and abstractionism, he realized he had only one option open to him: he would become a forger" (p. 84)
The Lacuna, Barbara Kingsolver (2009)
What are we learning about art from this book?
“'I think an artist has to tell the truth,' she said finally. 'You have to use the craft very well and have a lot of discipline for it, but mostly to be a good artist you have to know something that’s true….They can paint a perfect tree, a perfect face, whatever you ask. But they don’t know enough about life to fill a thimble. And that’s what has to go in the painting. Otherwise, why look at it?'” (p. 199)
- "Get to know" Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo
- What a mural is and how it is made
- Public's opinions of surrealism at the time
- What happens to artwork during wartime
- How artworks are transported
“'I think an artist has to tell the truth,' she said finally. 'You have to use the craft very well and have a lot of discipline for it, but mostly to be a good artist you have to know something that’s true….They can paint a perfect tree, a perfect face, whatever you ask. But they don’t know enough about life to fill a thimble. And that’s what has to go in the painting. Otherwise, why look at it?'” (p. 199)
The Masterpiece*, Emile Zola (1886)
What are we learning about art from this book?
"He had no desire to go to bed, he was burning with impatience for the sun to come up so that he could get back to his picture. This time, warmed by his day of good fellowship, his head aching and seething with ideas, he was certain to produce a masterpiece." (p. 80)
*Note: As this book is translated from French, it is also known under the title, His Masterpiece.
- "Get to know" Paul Cezanne through the main character Claude Lantier, who is loosely based on him (and arguably also Claude Monet and Edouard Manet)
- The motivations and aspirations of artists on the brink of the Impressionist movement as they break from Romanticism
- The experience of exhibiting work at the Salon - from the point of view of the artist, the Salon selection committee, and the viewers
- How impressionist painters interpreted color theory
- The process of making paints during this time period
- The experience of painting outdoors, or "en plein air"
- Life as an art student at this time.
- Artists' interactions with art dealers
"He had no desire to go to bed, he was burning with impatience for the sun to come up so that he could get back to his picture. This time, warmed by his day of good fellowship, his head aching and seething with ideas, he was certain to produce a masterpiece." (p. 80)
*Note: As this book is translated from French, it is also known under the title, His Masterpiece.
Scandals, Vandals, and Da Vincis*, Harvey Rachlin (2007)
What are we learning about art from this book?
“To many art lovers, a painting is just a painting, an image to be admired for its artistry and beauty. To those who know the story behind a painting, however, the work may evoke a range of powerful emotions.” (pg. 101)
*This Book is a collection of short stories about various works of art and the artists who created them.
- Circumstances under which people create art
- "Get to know" a variety of artists and their artworks
- Meet the people depicted in various artworks
“To many art lovers, a painting is just a painting, an image to be admired for its artistry and beauty. To those who know the story behind a painting, however, the work may evoke a range of powerful emotions.” (pg. 101)
*This Book is a collection of short stories about various works of art and the artists who created them.
The Selected Works of T. S. Spivet*, Reif Larsen (2009)
What are we learning about art from this book?
“A map does not just chart, it unlocks and formulates meaning; it forms bridges between here and there, between disparate ideas that we did not know were previously connected.” (p. 138)
*This book contains illustrations. For this reason, it might be best used for literature circles where students can view the book rather than read-aloud situations.
- Drawing as a way of exploring and making sense of the world
- Mapping as art
- Relationship between art and science
- Thinking like an obsessive diagrammer
- How an artist gets inspired
- Experience of carrying and utilizing a sketchbook
- How to observe the world around us
“A map does not just chart, it unlocks and formulates meaning; it forms bridges between here and there, between disparate ideas that we did not know were previously connected.” (p. 138)
*This book contains illustrations. For this reason, it might be best used for literature circles where students can view the book rather than read-aloud situations.
Strapless, Deborah Davis (2003)
What are we learning about art from this book?
"Both the painting and the woman were works of art. But Madame X, not Amelie, proved the real and enduring masterpiece." (p. 218)
- The scandal behind John Singer Sargent's painting, Madame X
- Meet the woman portrayed in Madame X
- The career of John Singer Sargent
- Art education in 19th century Paris
- The experience of exhibiting work at the Salon
- The circumstances for creating Madame X
- The process of painting a portrait
- The function of a portrait
- Brief history of silhouettes
- aesthetic taste of 19th century Paris
- Meet Isabella Stewart Gardner
- How painters establish reputations
"Both the painting and the woman were works of art. But Madame X, not Amelie, proved the real and enduring masterpiece." (p. 218)
The Yellow House, Martin Gayford (2006)
What are we learning about art from this book?
“That was precisely what was happening in the Yellow House: new images, novel ways of seeing the world were emerging out of nothingness.” (p. 192)
- "Get to know" artists Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin
- Artist collaboration
- The circumstances and inspiration for which many well-known artworks were created
- Compare artworks side by side of similar subjects by these two artists
- Color theory
“That was precisely what was happening in the Yellow House: new images, novel ways of seeing the world were emerging out of nothingness.” (p. 192)