Vincent Van Gogh: 1853-1890

by Rainer Metzger and Ingo F. Walther

Book Overview

Vincent van Gogh's story is one of the most tragic in art history. Today, he is celebrated the world over as one of the most important painters of all time, recognized with sell-out shows, feted... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 3822872253
• ISBN13: 9783822872253
• Release Date: November 1998
• Publisher: Taschen
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 3.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 9.8" x 12.2"

Customer Reviews

Such Picky People Here

I bought this book when I needed to reference Van Gogh's works for a replication project I had back in high school. I found it to be very informative and wonderfully done. I picked it out of a pile of others that I had assembled in Barnes & Noble, finding that this one was the most informative and had the better color variation. I've noticed that almost every review here complains about the colorings. I think that's extremely ridiculous and should not take away any value from the book overall. You are never going to find a book that has the paintings EXACTLY as they are in real life (which have been faded over the years anyway). I've seen many of Van Gogh's works in person and can assure any potential buyer of this book that the difference is not as great as these other melodramatic reviewers have suggested. Basically, I strongly recommend this book if you are a lover of Van Gogh, need it for research, or whatever you'd like it for. Don't let the other reviews scare you.

A novice liked it

I spotted this book and, having been impressed by the Van Gogh exhibit at the National Gallery last year, decided to check it out. (That being said, I know very little about art and seldom read about it, so this review should be taken in that light.)Van Gogh was an amazingly prolific painter. His artistic career lasted scarcely ten years, but in that time he created enough paintings to decorate nearly every page of this 250-page book - and those aren't even all of them.The book itself is a combination of a biography and an analysis of his paintings. This flows smoothly, perhaps because Van Gogh put so much of himself into his art: his moods are clear from what he depicted and how he depicted it.The biographical portion makes for interesting reading in and of itself. Van Gogh actually came rather late to art after failing at other occupations, including that of a minister. Once he turns to art, he is almost immediately remarkably capable. Later on, he attempts to set up an artistic community in his famous "yellow house," with the help of Gaugain. It's a collaboration that fails disastrously, with Gaugain leaving and Van Gogh cutting off his earlobe. Van Gogh has a difficult time psychologically for a few years, then, when it seems he has finally turned things around, goes out and shoots himself. The authors suggest it's due to his believe that a dead artist is more valued than a live one, a strange but possibly true premise.The analysis of the paintings, comfortably intertwined with the biographical information, are interesting as well, at least to someone like me who only barely understands painting. While the analysis occasionally descends into what is to me artsy gobbledegook, by and large the comments are incisive and point out the distinctive qualities of each painting and how it relates to his other work. The tone is positive and descriptive, which I liked. I could easily have imagined a much more critical approach or a tone that indicated this is the way to look at this painting. But the authors fall into neither trap.So this artistic novice, at least, found this to be an excellent book about a great artist. Recommended for all those with an interest in the subject.

This is a great book about paintings of Van Gogh!

This is more wonderful book about the paintings of Van Gogh than other books. I hesitated to buy this book because of contrary reviews about it. But you don't need to hesitate to buy it now! It is full of lots of great, fantastic and colorful paintings. I was so excited to look at these terrific paintings. The illustrations and colors were excellent. I guess the reviews that it is a awful book about paintings of Van Gogh is about the former edition before this. I recommend this book (hardcover,740p,1997) for every fan of Van Gogh confidently. You won't be sorry for buying this at all.

A point of clarification on Van Gogh: The Complete Paintings

Two vastly different volumes exist entitled Van Gogh: The Complete Paintings by Walther/Metzger and Taschen publishing. The 1997 volume - recommended by L.A. County Museum of Art - is a remarkable book with an expertly written bio, thoughtful layout and perfect color reproductions. The 1993 volume exhibits awful, colorless prints and should be recalled as it serves only to confuse the buyer and discourage the purchase of the 1997 volume, a work of art in itself.