Description
A sweeping look at the ways American artists have viewed themselves, their peers, and their painted worlds over two centuries
This stunning book provides an unprecedented glimpse into the past two centuries of American art, tracing artistic tradition and innovation at the National Academy of Design from its 19th-century founding to the present. The nation's oldest artist honorary society has maintained a unique collecting principle: each member gives a self-portrait (or, until 1994, a portrait by a contemporary Academician) as well as an example of their work. By presenting artists' portraits in tandem with their self-selected representative works, this book offers a unique opportunity to explore how American artists have viewed both themselves and the worlds they depicted.
The diverse selection of artists whose work is showcased here includes Frederic Edwin Church, Eastman Johnson, Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Thomas Eakins, Cecilia Beaux, Isabel Bishop, Andrew Wyeth, Charles White, Wayne Thiebaud, Louisa Matthiasdottir, David Diao, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, and Peter Saul. Essays by a stellar roster of distinguished historians and art historians, curators, artists, and architects delve into single artworks or pairs of paintings, while others explore themes such the representation of landscapes and the figurative tradition in American art. Additionally, 17 current Academicians-visual artists and architects including Walter Chatham, Catherine Opie and Fred Wilson-contribute personal responses to individual artworks.
Distributed for the American Federation of Arts
About the Author
Jeremiah William McCarthy is associate curator at the American Federation of Arts. Diana Thompson is director of collections and curatorial affairs at the National Academy of Design.
Reviews
"For America hints at another kind of art history, one written by artists themselves in a dynamic, complex process of creative self-fashioning"- John P. Murphy, Burlington Magazine
Book Information
ISBN 9780300244281
Author Jeremiah William McCarthy
Format Hardback
Page Count 304
Imprint Yale University Press
Publisher Yale University Press
This stunning book provides an unprecedented glimpse into the past two centuries of American art, tracing artistic tradition and innovation at the National Academy of Design from its 19th-century founding to the present. The nation's oldest artist honorary society has maintained a unique collecting principle: each member gives a self-portrait (or, until 1994, a portrait by a contemporary Academician) as well as an example of their work. By presenting artists' portraits in tandem with their self-selected representative works, this book offers a unique opportunity to explore how American artists have viewed both themselves and the worlds they depicted.
The diverse selection of artists whose work is showcased here includes Frederic Edwin Church, Eastman Johnson, Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Thomas Eakins, Cecilia Beaux, Isabel Bishop, Andrew Wyeth, Charles White, Wayne Thiebaud, Louisa Matthiasdottir, David Diao, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, and Peter Saul. Essays by a stellar roster of distinguished historians and art historians, curators, artists, and architects delve into single artworks or pairs of paintings, while others explore themes such the representation of landscapes and the figurative tradition in American art. Additionally, 17 current Academicians-visual artists and architects including Walter Chatham, Catherine Opie and Fred Wilson-contribute personal responses to individual artworks.
Distributed for the American Federation of Arts
Exhibition Schedule:
Dayton Art Institute, Dayton, OH
(02/20/19-06/02/19)
New Britain Museum of American Art, CT
(11/07/19-02/02/20)
Society of the Four Arts, Palm Beach, FL
(02/22/20-04/26/20)
The Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis, TN
(07/02/20-09/27/20)
New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe
(10/22/20-01/17/21)
Figge Art Museum, Davenport, IA
(02/20/21-05/09/21)
Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA
(06/06/21-09/12/21)
About the Author
Jeremiah William McCarthy is associate curator at the American Federation of Arts. Diana Thompson is director of collections and curatorial affairs at the National Academy of Design.
Reviews
"For America hints at another kind of art history, one written by artists themselves in a dynamic, complex process of creative self-fashioning"- John P. Murphy, Burlington Magazine
Book Information
ISBN 9780300244281
Author Jeremiah William McCarthy
Format Hardback
Page Count 304
Imprint Yale University Press
Publisher Yale University Press
