Page 64 - Studio International - February 1965

New books

Henri Rousseau
By Dora Vallier. 12 by 8½ in. 328 pp. with
29 colour plates. 187 monochrome.
(London: Thames and Hudson) £5 5s.
A late starter in the art that was to make
him posthumously famous and even during
his lifetime well known. the so-called
douanier was an enigma to his contem­
poraries and largely rnscrutable to his
survivors. Was he really so na'ive as to be
impressed when people rendered sarcastic
praise? We probably shall never know but
events have at least proved that the jesting
words had some truth in them. Author of
this massive and magn1f1cent volume has
sifted anew the legend and the facts about
Rousseau and she has produced a most
readable account. first. of the artist's life
and. second. of the progress of his work.
regarded chiefly as the period from 1885
to 1890. after 1890. then his imaginative
works such as War and The Sleeping
Gypsy and the last period and its tropical
landscapes. We learn of his friendships
with Jarry, Apoll1naire and Robert
Delaunay, the famous party given for him
by Picasso. his two conflicts with the law.
But what his two wives (both of whom
he survived) thought of Rousseau. we have
no hint. We read the translations of excerpts
from two plays and look at the excellent
Peter Paul Rubens Victoria and Albert Museum elsewhere in Britain. For a triflrng sum. this reproductions and our own bafflement is
1577-1640 Handbook to the Departments of Prints booklet is a chart to the treasure that can be not lessened. Rousseau as an artist we can
Chalk Studies from life for the man and Drawings and Paintings. 9½ by 6 in. found in South Kensington for those who appreciate; his colours have a purity and
1n the left foreground, and the two 116 pp. (London: H.M. S1ationery Office) 'live through their eyes·.
men kneeling on the right in 3s. 6d. balance that are instinctively perfect. Of
The Miracles of S1. Francis Xavier his works we can recognize masterpieces.
at the Imperial Gallery. Vienna For reasons of lack of space. the contents Turner among them The Dream. The Sleeping
of the two departments of the V and A By John Rothenstein and Martin But/in. Gypsy and Merry Jesters. Born at the right
described in this handbook. resemble an 12i by 9¼ in. 24 colour plates. 128 mono­ time. when his own quirkish conversion of
iceberg-the greater part is not on view chrome. (London: Heinemann) £6 6s. academic canons brought the 'old hat'
to the public and it can only be made Turner is at present the subject of a good salon styles into the ridicule that was felt
visible by asking. There is an indescribable deal of research among both British and by the Fauves and the younger iconoclasts.
richness. From 1857 till the formation of American scholars and there are still a he was a contemporary spirit without a
the Tate Gallery. the second department number of problems which the distin­ common feeling for the rebels. As an artist
was called the National Gallery of British guished authors of this book do not he was undoubtedly an original-he
Art and it continues this function so far as attempt to solve. painted not art but pictures and is thus
collecting British watercolours is con­ Sir John Rothenstein and Mr. Martin beyond critical reproach.
cerned. It also houses the National Butlin have collected most of the known
Collection of British portrait miniatures. facts about Turner and they have assembled
Altogether there are about 2.000 oil their material with discernment. There is Illustrations: aspects and directions
paintings. 4.000 watercolours and 1.500 a useful bibliography. It is particularly By Bob Gill and John Lewis. 7¾ by 6½ in.
portrait miniatures. foreign as well as difficult to choose wisely from the wealth 96 pp. (London: Studio Vista) 70s. 6d.
British. The Department of Prints and of paintings and drawings which Turner This is the fourth in a refreshing series of
Drawings. founded in 1909. has no fewer carried out during his long and industrious practical instruction books which have
than half a million items in its keeping and life. There are few of his works which one done much to breakdown the old-fashioned
only a very small section of them is on would not wish to see even in reproduction and obdurate how-to-do-it approach.
temporary exhibition. This handbook is and a number of the drawings were in fact 'Illustration.' says the Introduction. 'can
divided into sections which briefly intro­ made for the purpose of illustrating travel be considered as a work of art or as a
duce their subjects and emphasize the books. Turner's oeuvre is so large that visual answer to a specific literary problem.
rr.ajor items as. for instance. the Constable there is always a danger that a book about Or it can be both. It can provide informa­
series of works always on view. a large him may end up by becoming a catalogue tion. or elucidation. It can be a means of
group of Turner watercolours. the Raphael and not much else. The authors have social comment or it can entertain.'
cartoons. old master drawings including charted his evolution from the great In the main. the book is made up of a
the note-books of Leonardo da Vinci. a European painters whom he emulated to poignant collection of graphic comparisons
dozen Rubens masterpiece drawings. the very personal vision which he achieved illustrating each as;:iect of this defin1t1on
designs by Beardsley and cuttings from after his first visit to Italy. In the final stages together with its permutations. In their
illuminated manuscripts. Modern prints are his preoccupation was not so much with pursuit of illustrative categories the authors
well represented including work by Allen the physical attributes of the world around have paid no heed to historic sequence.
Jones and David Hackney. Designs relating him as with a vast cosmic theory which which gives rise to such startling com­
to the applied arts such as textiles. armour. embraced the whole of creation. This book parisons as Edward Munch to Seymour
metalwork.ceramics. furniture and jewellery 1s admirably produced and generously Chwaste. George Cruikshank to Giles. The
provide invaluable material for students. illustrated and a number of Turner's result is a fascinating and lively collage
A theatrical collection that is world­ pictures and drawings have been repro­ of illustrative aspects held together by the
famous and English and foreign posters duced for the first time. The black and common bondage of faultless draughts­
supply original references without parallel white reproductions are excelle:it. manship. ■
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