Inside February 22, 2005's Issue

Boogeyman is stupid, don't waste time/money

Flogging Molly returns listeners to band's Irish roots

Try Thai: 'Surin of Thailand' is a fresh and spicy change from the chains

Book 'Degas by Himself' is great, by itself

By Amanda Cordle
[email protected]
Staff Writer

In "Degas by Himself (Artist by Himself)" editor Richard Kendall pulls together many of the famous 19th century painter and sculptor Edgar Degas' personal notebooks, letters and other writings to help narrate Degas' collection of drawings, prints and paintings. There are also comments and critiques of Degas from his close friends and acquaintances.

This incredibly affordable book is filled with beautiful full color prints by Degas, and even features some of his notes in his own handwriting.

There is also a helpful section at the end of the book that introduces the reader to each person with whom Degas corresponds in his letters and writings. The 100 color prints of Degas works range from his apprentice days starting in 1850 to paintings of his old age in 1912.

The apprentice section is introduced with a self-portrait of a handsome, young Degas painted in 1856.

The section also includes numerous notebook entries by Degas about what it is like being a student of the world and studying the light and planes of the environment. He describes his personal trepidation about being able to accurately capture life on his canvases. There are color prints of several of the young artist's studies, as well as landscapes, portraits, nudes and realistic scenes.

The next section of the book deals with the Impressionist era. Degas is best known for his impressionist work. Degas writes of his visit to America and traveling from New York to New Orleans. There are many letters to other famous painters from this era as well, such as Tissot, Manet, Pissarro and, his later love interest, Mary Cassatt.

The paintings in this section are among his best. They include his famous ballerina paintings, as well as a large collection of prints of female workers, society women and women bathing. The bachelor never settled with a woman, but he placed them in a great deal of his work.

During the final part of the book, which discusses Degas' old age, almost all of his works are drawings, pastels and sculptures which focus mostly on landscapes and women bathing, dressing and doing their hair. Degas was suffering from poor eyesight and bad health, and even though he was not feeling well towards the end of his life, his work was finally famous so he was pushed to complete more than he felt he could.

This book is well worth its incredibly low price. It is rare that one may find an art book that is so affordable, especially one filled with 100 examples of fine art as Degas'. Art history courses give students a lot of knowledge about technique, but they cannot provide the insight into the artist's soul and personality the way "Degas by Himself" does.

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