From Library Journal
August Strindberg was one of the most talented personalities of world literature. A bohemian who saw himself as a social outcast, this talented Swedish writer of numerous plays, novels, short stories, novellas, and fairy tales exhibited a genius and fury that was at once intense, sensitive, and mesmerizing. But that was Strindberg the writer. As a painter and photographer, he was at best mediocre. Despite its many superb reproductions, this well-written book only reinforces the suspicion that Strindberg the visual artist would not have earned attention were it not for the talent and literary prowess of Strindberg the writer. All the endeavors of the five authors distinguished researchers and authorities on Scandinavian art still cannot disperse that feeling. The book is, however, the first English-language work dealing with the writer exclusively in his role as painter and photographer and could thus be useful to students and scholars of Strindberg's life and work. Edward K. Owusu-Ansah, CUNY Coll. of Staten Island Lib., NY Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Choice
[A] beautiful volume. . . a comprehensive survey of Strindberg as a pictorial artist. . . fascinating. . . Highly recommended.
Book Description
The literary works of August Strindberg are admired throughout the world, but few people outside his native Scandinavia are aware of his accomplishments as a painter and photographer. This book, written by eminent authorities on Scandinavian art, is the first to bring Strindberg's dramatic and highly original artistic works to an English-speaking audience. The book begins by examining Strindberg's paintings, photographs, drawings, and decorated manuscripts and by discussing the importance of pictorial arts to other areas of Strindberg's oeuvre. It then focuses on Strindberg's photography, relates the experimental photographs he took during the 1890s to the natural philosophy he developed during the same period, describes his relations to artistic circles in Paris, and examines his influence on the Swedish painter Carl Larsson. Richly illustrated in full color, the book sheds new light on the achievements of this innovative and deeply troubled genius.
From the Publisher
Published in association with the Nationalmuseum, Stockholm
About the Author
Per Hedström is curator of paintings and sculpture at the Nationalmuseum, Stockholm. Douglas Feuk is an art critic and has published several studies on Strindberg. Erik Höök is curator at the Strindbergsmuseet, Stockholm. Agneta Lalander was formerly director of the Strindbergsmuseet, Stockholm. Göran Söderström has also been director of the Strindbergsmuseet and is the leading expert on Strindberg as a pictorial artist.
Strindberg FROM THE PUBLISHER
The literary works of August Strindberg are admired throughout the world, but few people outside his native Scandinavia are aware of his accomplishments as a painter and photographer. This book, written by eminent authorities on Scandinavian art, is the first to bring Strindberg's dramatic and highly original artistic works to an English-speaking audience.
The book begins by examining Strindberg's paintings, photographs, drawings and decorated manuscripts and discussing the importance of pictorial arts to other areas of Strindberg's oeuvre. It then focuses on Strindberg's photography, relates the experimental photographs he took during the 1890s to the natural philosophy he developed during the same period, describes his relations to artistic circles in Paris and examines his influence on the Swedish painter Carl Larsson. Richly illustrated in full color, the book sheds new light on the achievements of this innovative and deeply troubled genius.
SYNOPSIS
Written to accompany a traveling exhibition that began in Stockholm's National Museum in 2001, this catalog contains five substantial essays on an unexpected aspect of this prolific author and playwright (d.1912). The authors (affiliated with the National Museum or the Strindbergsmuseet in Stockholm) analyze Strindberg's painting and photography, much of which was experimental in nature, in terms of his thought, his philosophy of art, and of the art movements of the time. An appendix provides an English translation of a Strindberg essay, "New directions in art! Or the role of chance in artistic creation." The volume is well illustrated with color and b&w plates but is not indexed. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
FROM THE CRITICS
Chicago Tribune
[T]he most complete volume on Strindberg's visual art - paintings, photographs, drawings, sculpture - in the English language.
Choice
[A] beautiful volume. . . a comprehensive survey of Strindberg as a pictorial artist. . . fascinating. . . Highly recommended.
Chicago Tribune
[T]he most complete volume on Strindberg's visual art - paintings,photographs,drawings,sculpture - in the English language.
Library Journal
August Strindberg was one of the most talented personalities of world literature. A bohemian who saw himself as a social outcast, this talented Swedish writer of numerous plays, novels, short stories, novellas, and fairy tales exhibited a genius and fury that was at once intense, sensitive, and mesmerizing. But that was Strindberg the writer. As a painter and photographer, he was at best mediocre. Despite its many superb reproductions, this well-written book only reinforces the suspicion that Strindberg the visual artist would not have earned attention were it not for the talent and literary prowess of Strindberg the writer. All the endeavors of the five authors distinguished researchers and authorities on Scandinavian art still cannot disperse that feeling. The book is, however, the first English-language work dealing with the writer exclusively in his role as painter and photographer and could thus be useful to students and scholars of Strindberg's life and work. Edward K. Owusu-Ansah, CUNY Coll. of Staten Island Lib., NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Art & Photography
Book Info
