Great Artists (Arcturus Digital Limited)

In the words of Matisse and Picasso, Paul Cézanne was the 'father of us all', his approach to color and perspective paving the way for later modernist art movements such as Cubism and Expressionism, as he moved beyond the figurative tradition and towards abstraction. This book charts Cézanne's journey as an artist, his involvement with the Impressionist movement and his importance as a leading Post-Impressionist. It explores the places where he lived and worked, his personal life and friendships, and the artistic influences that helped to shape his remarkable vision of the world. This biographical detail is set alongside a selection of his brilliant paintings, allowing you to trace the evolution of his artwork.

Claude Monet's tranquil water-lily paintings and rural landscape scenes are among some of the most treasured artworks of the 19th and 20th centuries. Hailed as the 'Prince of Impressionism' for his pioneering role in the French artistic movement, Monet is widely recognised for his free brushstroke and experimentation with colour and natural light. In this beautifully illustrated book, Ann Sumner explores the life of this prodigious painter and the subjects that obsessed him: the cliffs of the Normandy coastline, the palazzos of Venice, the railway stations of Paris, the great edifice of Rouen Cathedral, and his beloved garden at Giverny. Showcasing a selection of his best-loved and lesser-known paintings alongside fascinating biographic detail, this guide serves as a perfect introduction to Monet and the evolution of his iconic style.

Van Gogh's distinctive style of expressive brushstrokes and bold colors is now world famous, but during his lifetime the artist was met with cold disinterest from his contemporaries. This book explores the fascinating life story of this tortured soul, who came late to art and suffered throughout his life from anxiety and depression. It unravels the influences behind his artworks, from the luminous landscapes of the south of France to the Japanese woodblock prints he so admired, and explores how he developed his own unique style. This detailed monograph features Van Gogh's major works and examines the light they shed on this enigmatic character, serving as a wonderful introduction to one of the best artists of all time.

Gustav Klimt's exotic, sensuous paintings recall the art of ancient civilizations - their patterns and ornamentation reminiscent of Byzantine mosaics and Egyptian murals. But from what context did these masterworks spring? This beautifully illustrated book is a guide to the life and work of Gustav Klimt. Klimt is one of the most influential artists of the Art Nouveau movement, first achieving fame as a decorative painter before turning to portraiture and erotic art. The decorative style persisted in his work, leading to abstract compositions with flattened, glowing surfaces embellished with gold and silver leaf. This technique is perhaps best identified in Klimt's two portraits of Adele Bloch Bauer The book serves as a perfect introduction to Klimt's work, showcasing a selection of his paintings as well as providing fascinating biographical detail. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Great Artists series by Arcturus Publishing introduces some of the most significant artists of the past 150 years, looking at their lives, techniques and inspirations, as well as presenting a selection of their best work.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir was one of the foremost Impressionist artists, known for his en plein air scenes of middle-class leisure. But Renoir's primary interest lay indoors, in depictions of sensuous female nudes and intimate domestic scenes, painted in a warm, bright palette. This book explores the life and work of this leading light of Impressionism, showcasing his best-loved artwork alongside fascinating biographical detail. It also examines the development of his artistic practices, which began to diverge from many other Impressionist painters as he incorporated some elements of a classical style into his work. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Great Artists series by Arcturus Publishing introduces some of the most significant artists of the past 150 years, looking at their lives, techniques and inspirations, as well as presenting a selection of their best work.