Mariana Griswold Van Rensselaer (1851ndash;1934) was one of the premier figures in landscape writing and design at the turn of the twentieth century; a moment when the amateur pursuit of gardening and the increasingly professionalized landscape design field were beginning to diverge. This intellectual biographymdash;the first in-depth study of the versatile critic and authormdash;reveals Van Rensselaerrsquo;s vital role in this moment in the history of landscape architecture. Van Rensselaer was one of the new breed of American art and architecture critics; closely examining the nature of her profession and bringing a disciplined scholarship to the craft. She considered herself a professional; leading the effort among women in the Gilded Age to claim the titles of artist; architect; critic; historian; and journalist. Thanks to the resources of her wealthy mercantile family; she had been given a sophisticated European education almost unheard of for a woman of her time. Her close relationship with Frederick Law Olmsted influenced her ideas on landscape gardening; and her interest in botany and geology shaped the ideas upon which her philosophy and art criticism were based. She also studied the works of Charles Darwin; Alexander von Humboldt; Henry David Thoreau; and many other nineteenth-century scientists and nature writers; which influenced her general belief in the relationship between science and the imagination.Her cosmopolitan education and elevated social status gave her; much like her contemporary Edith Wharton; access to the homes and gardens of the upper classes. This allowed her to mingle with authors; artists; and affluent patrons of the arts and enabled her to write with familiarity about architecture and landscape design. Identifying over 330 previously unattributed editorials and unsigned articles authored by Van Rensselaer in the influential journal Garden and Forestmdash;for which she was the sole female editorial voicemdash;Judith Major offers insight into her ideas about the importance of botanical nomenclature; the similarities between landscape gardening and idealist painting; design in nature; and many other significant topics. Majorrsquo;s critical examination of Van Rensselaerrsquo;s life and writingsmdash;which also includes selections from her correspondencemdash;details not only her influential role in the creation of landscape architecture as a discipline but also her contribution to a broader public understanding of the arts in America.
#410227 in eBooks 2004-09-01 2013-03-05File Name: B00BP781X0
Review
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful. Creative artists: everything you know about business is wrongBy Barbara R. SaundersTwo competing; discouraging messages dominate the conversation about how to make a living while making art. The first: ldquo;Keep your day job.rdquo; Do your art on the side (whatever that means) and hope that someday; somehow; something will take off. The second: Rush to monetize whatever it is you do; turn your art into a business. The life of Muppet creator Jim Henson provides an alternative example. The author patiently illustrates the reality of how artists are ldquo;different;rdquo; why neither of those two mainstream messages work for us. Rather than aiming to earn more money in order to work less; artists ultimately pursue money in order to work more mdash; to fund our projects and to minimize the distractions and time constraints that paid work introduces into our lives.Henson put it front-and-center. He worked hard and constantly. He combined business and friendship. He did not relegate his art to his ldquo;freerdquo; time or subject it prematurely to a world where its worth was equivalent to its price. Once given life; his characters and creations reflected dual value. To audiences they were priceless gifts; to business men; sources for generating money. Copyrights in hand; Henson could enter the world of business on its own terms without compromising himself. The book will leave you feeling like you can do that; too.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Refreshing reassurance that nice artists can be successful!By Mark TooneryAs an avid Fan of both the Muppets and their creator Jim Henson; I was keenly curious to read more about the artistic career of the gentle genius. Elizabeth Hyde Stevens did not disappoint me with her in-depth analysis of Jim Hensons rise to fame with Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. But dont mistake this book for another mere biography or history; as the focus here is how Henson managed to "sell his art without selling out;" a precarious tightrope that all artists must manage to survive. Hensons secret seemed to be that he retained OWNERSHIP of his characters up to nearly the very (and regrettably premature) end. This; along with his cautious merchandising (with few exceptions) of these characters provided means for his surprisingly small organization to produce less commercial projects like The Dark Crystal (which I held in reverent awe as even a 12-year old) and The Storyteller. I also enjoyed the authors comparisons between Walt Disney and Jim Henson. Walt was an avid perfectionist; while Henson was more of an advocate of believability over realism. As an animation instructor; freelance cartoonist and part-time puppeteer; Ive already highly recommended this valuable resource to my students. Furthermore; I believe it should be required reading for all would-be/could-be freelance artists and performers.15 of 16 people found the following review helpful. Delightful read; ready for the next episodeBy CustomerWhat a delight to read Ms. Stevens first installment in her series on the life of Jim Henson; entrepreneur! I will certainly be tuning in for the next episode based on this insightful and meticulously researched introduction into the unseen life of Jim Henson. I love that I grew up with the Muppets and their creator; but have never thought about his life in the context of his struggle and ultimate success in finding a balance between capitalism and creativity.Ms. Stevens reminds us that this iconic artistic genius was also a businessman; in fact started out doing commercials. But he didnt lose his integrity... how did he do that? Well I wont give away too much; except she starts with toys and I want to know more.Is Ms. Hyde Stevens related to Lewis Hyde? She shows the same insightful eloquence as Mr. Hyde in is his great book; The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World; and if they are not blood relatives; then they are certainly kindred spirits in laying out the artists dilemma and posing elegant (and entertaining) solutions.I thank Elizabeth Stevens for her gift to the struggling artist in all of us. We all strive to balance our real world needs with the desire to be unique and creative. I cant wait to read the next episode of this intriguing series.