Bernhard Gutmann: An American Impressionist, 1869-1936
Bernard Gutman (1896-1936) immigrated to the United States from Germany at the age of 23. The financial security of marrying into a wealthy family allowed him to concentrate on his interest in art. Because he had no need to sell his work, it was not often viewed in public spaces and remained primarily in his family's possession. Recent popular discovery of his work has earned him a place in the history of 20th-century American painting and printmaking. His portraits are serene and impressionistic, while his landscapes and genre scenes have the boldness and energy of postimpressionism. No matter what the subject of his paintings, his masterful use of rich, saturated color is mesmerizing. The book is elegantly designed and the illustrations are reproduced as large as possible without compromising the clarity of the colors, and the engaging text will lead you through Gutman's life and work.