Phillip Dennis Cate Knihy

Explores various paintings in the context of Van Goghs short but brilliant career, allying the works to his correspondence.

This unprecedented new volume celebrates the Impressionist themes of water and boats, featuring works by renowned artists like Manet, Monet, Renoir, and Seurat. Plein-air painting enabled these artists to capture a vibrant outdoor world with immediacy, with water and nautical scenes providing rich inspiration, as many were sailors themselves. Coinciding with a major exhibition by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the book traces the history of light-infused water scenes within the social context of the late nineteenth century. It offers an expansive exploration of water and boating themes, examining changing depictions from pre-Impressionism (Corot, Daubigny) through Impressionism (Manet, Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Caillebotte) to neo- and post-Impressionism (Cezanne, Seurat, Signac). Connections to contemporary life, including the literature of Zola and Maupassant and the rise of leisure boating at yacht clubs, highlight the social and cultural implications of these nautical themes. This beautifully designed book will enhance the libraries of water enthusiasts and appeal to scholars and admirers of this beloved art period.