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The Art of Rivalry

Four Friendships, Betrayals, and Breakthroughs in Modern Art
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( 1,948 ratings, 263 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Art of Rivalry by Sebastian Smee explores the intense yet inspiring rivalries between four pairs of renowned artists, delving into how their competitive relationships fueled their creativity and artistic breakthroughs. This exploration of artistic dynamics highlights both the personal and professional aspects that led to transformative moments in modern art. If you are interested in how competition can coexist with creative development and friendship, this book offers a fascinating insight into the minds of some of history's greatest artists.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are fascinated by the intricate relationships and rivalries between great artists. It delves into how these intense connections shaped their art and influenced their careers, offering an insightful exploration of creative dynamics and personal ambition.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Genius, friend, rival: this is the story of four pairs of artists whose intense relationships spurred and shaped their art. Matisse and Picasso. Manet and Degas. Bacon and Freud. De Kooning and Pollock. Eight of the most significant modern artists; four pairs linked by friendship and a shared spirit of competitiveness.

But in each case, the relationship had a flashpoint, a damaging psychological event that seemed to mark both an end and a beginning, a break that led to audacious creative innovations.

Absorbing, informed and provocative, Sebastian Smee's The Art of Rivalry takes us to the heart of each of these relationships. It offers revelatory insights into the ways in which these major artists influenced and changed each otherβ€”and into their ultimate quest 'to be unique, original, inimitable; to acquire the solitude, the singularity, of greatness'.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Sebastian Smee's The Art of Rivalry is widely praised for its vivid, exuberant writing that brings great works of art to life. Critics admire how Smee delves into the complex relationships between modern artists, exploring themes of friendship and competition with psychological insight and maturity. The blend of art history and biography presents a compelling narrative revealing how artistic rivalries have shaped iconic works and influenced cultural development. This well-researched and beautifully written book offers readers a profound appreciation for the intricacies of human connections in the art world.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781925240351

Publisher: Text Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 August 2016

Country: Australia

Imprint: The Text Publishing Company

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 396

About the Author

Sebastian Smee is the Boston Globe's art critic. He was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2009 and a winner in 2011. His writing about art has appeared in many of the leading papers in Australia, the UK and the US. He grew up in Adelaide.

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