Lives Of The Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought)

by Kathleen Krull

Other authorsKathryn Hewitt (Illustrator)

Paperback, 2014

Status

Available

Call number

709.2

Publication

Clarion Books (2014), Edition: Reprint, 96 pages

Description

Most people can name some famous artists and recognize their best-known works. But what's behind all that painting, drawing, and sculpting? What was Leonardo da Vinci's snack of choice while he painted Mona Lisa's mysterious smile? Why did Georgia O'Keeffe find bones so appealing? Who called Diego Rivera "Frog-Face"? And what is it about artists that makes both their work and their lives so fascinating--to themselves, to their curious neighbors, and to all of us? This book presents the humor and the tragedy in twenty artists' lives as no biography has done before.

User reviews

LibraryThing member artlibby

This book provides a behind the scenes tour to twenty world renowned artists. It glimpses over the art historical data and jumps right into the juicy details of their lives. For instance, did you know that Georgia O'Keeffe lived to the ripe old age of ninety-eight, and then bequeathed her ranch and

many paintings to a young man less than half her age? Or, that Marc Chagall often painted in the nude? (You will never look at his paintings the same again!) This book is littered with fun facts and interesting personality tidbits that will forever change your perception of these intriguing individuals. Each artist is discussed in around four pages, which include a full page illustration of the artist and a shortlist of the artist's best-known artworks. The amusing illustrations depict the artists with larger that laugh heads and visual clues about their lives. Little groupings of drawings are also included to break up the lengthier blocks of text. A must for students interested in the art world, and a great way to humanize the giants of art history.

Show Less

4 more

LibraryThing member ChristineEllei

This is a YA book about famous artists. I picked it up because I wanted to see how someone explains artists ranging from the Rennaisance through the Modernists to a young fan. It was a good introduction to artists for a young person, and the author did not gloss over some of the more tawdry aspects

of some of the artists. Good effort.

Show Less

LibraryThing member viviandoughty

Kathleen Krull manages to fully engage the reader by adding interesting bits of information about each artist. Illustrations provide a humorous look at the subject as well. This collection serves as a great method to engage young readers and, hopefully, propel them along to deeper research

regarding their subjects.

Show Less

LibraryThing member debnance

Kathleen Krull tells intriguing details about thelives of twenty artists of the world, including DaVinci,Michelangelo, Van Gogh, Matisse, Chagall, O'Keeffe, Dali, andPicasso. All of the artists come across as having lived extremelyeccentric lives.

LibraryThing member dduning

Fantastic book written for children to have snapshot views of famous artists throughout history. I love that there are little known facts included in the articles to spark imaginations while reading non-fiction.

Fewer