Celebrity; art merchant; socialite; publisher; and writer; Ambroise Vollard (1867ndash;1939) was one of the most extraordinary figures in 20th-century art. He possessed an uncanny ability to recognize genius in painters mdash; dozens of important artists received valuable commissions and gallery space with his help; and his galleries presented the first one-man shows for such luminaries as Matisse; Ceacute;zanne; and Picasso. Vollards warmth; candor; and intelligence earned him the friendship of a generation of artists and make this memoir an enthralling and often hilarious account of an exciting Golden Age of painting.Vollards anecdotal recollections transport the reader to Paris at the turn of the 20th century and the legendary "Street of Pictures;" the rue Laffitte; where Vollard lived and worked. Rather than critiquing artists or esthetic movements; Vollard focuses on the human sidelights that made his life as picture dealer so rich and fascinating: his early efforts to sell the works of Ceacute;zanne; despite incredible opposition to Impressionism; his dinner parties; whose guests included Renoir; Forain; Degas; Redon; and Rodin; his many portrait sittings for Ceacute;zanne; Renoir; Rouault; Bonnard; Forain; and Picasso; his observation on the studios; habits; and personalities of Manet; Matisse; Picasso; de Groux; Signac; and Rousseau; and his encounters with Gertrude Stein; Alfred Jarry; Guillaume Apollinaire; Mallarmeacute;; and Zola.
#1167783 in eBooks 2012-07-17 2012-07-17File Name: B00A735KP0
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ... suggested that I read this and I am so glad that I didBy Dr. Susan E. RamloA friend suggested that I read this and I am so glad that I did. I am not a biologist (although I am a physicist) and I really enjoyed this book. I could related to much of the text... from being a woman in a male-dominated field to conveying qualitative research to quantitative researchers and having a feel for the organism (although I worked in physics and now social science research I can relate to this very well whether it is data related to crystal growth or analyzing social science data!).0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good Pictorial Summary of the Panama Canal ProjectBy addictGreat historical photos with captions. I wouldve liked a little more information in the book; but its good for getting an overall sense of the work and drama surrounding this immense project.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good Canal History!By Barton J. GilbertI was doing research on the building of the Panama Canal and reviewed this book. It is well done and interesting but I like some of the other books on the subject much more.