Horst Keller (1) (1912–2007)

Monet’s Years at Giverny provides an account of that time along with commentaries on the illustrated paintings produced. The text is enlightening and includes details of Monet’s house and touches on such matters as his relationship with the other villagers and famers. The discussions of the paintings are useful, although one worries a little when the writer does no know the difference between shadows and reflections (page 52, plate page 48). The comments about Monet’s garden and the list of plantings are interesting; but as with everything else do not go quite far enough. For example reference is made on more than one occasion to Monet’s increasing success and affluence, his ability to employ more and more staff, but nowhere is there any mention of figures; it would be interesting to know in comparative terms what this all amounted to.

It is well illustrated throughout; 40 of Monet’s paintings are reproduced in full colour, there are also period photographs of Monet and Giverny and elsewhere in duotone, comparative works by other artists and modern day photographs in monochrome. The publishers state that the colour reproductions “have been compared with the originals for faithful reproduction of colour” but to me they seem a little lacklustre. A definite plus is that many of images appear facing the page where they are discussed.

A hardback book with a printed cover (no dust-jacket), the general presentation and design do not impress. There are some helpful points, such as the inclusion of the reference to the plates in the margin alongside the relevant text, but the quotations of Monet’s in excessively large type alongside some of the plates is distracting. The book includes a very short bibliography, a list of colour plates and of illustrations, but there is no index.

11.4” x 10” (29 cm x 25.5 cm) Published 2001 ISBN 3770170903… (altro)