Eckhard Hollmann

From his earliest pointillist-influenced paintings to this mature and playful paper cut-outs; from enormous, ebullient murals to reverent stained glass--Henri Matisse was renowned for his dramatic use of color and fluid draftsmanship. Thirty of Matisse's most beloved works are given close attention in this introduction that explores the varying tensions of the artist's oeuvre--his embrace of pure color, patterns, and texture; the languorous pleasures of the Cote d'Azur; primitive displays of human ecstasy; tranquil scenes of domestic life and soaring monuments to religious life. An engaging biography takes readers through every phase of Matisse's career and reveals how his aversion to troubling or depressing subject matter was in direct opposition to the radical spirit of his work.

Although her body of work is relatively small, Frida Kahlo has inspired adoration and admiration that few other artists have attained. This accessible and elegant book offers full page reproductions of a selection of her works, allowing for a broad appreciation of Kahlo’s use of color, composition, and texture. The biographical text informs readers of her early career, when a bus accident left her bedridden and plagued by pain, but also afforded her the chance to discover herself through painting. It follows her life, her personal relationships, and her years in America. Eckhard Hollmann explores the many themes and images of Kahlo’s work, from physical and emotional pain, to Mexican and indigenous folklore, to the flora and fauna of her beloved home. Never shying away from expressing her deepest fears and desires, championing the downtrodden with dignity and passion, Frida Kahlo remains an inspiration to any artist aiming to be true to herself while struggling against personal and political limitation.

Paul Gauguin. Paul Gauguin gave up his promising career at the bank in 1883, deciding that "from now onwards I will paint every day." The co-founder of Synthetism and trailblazer of Expressionism turned his back on the world of the bourgeoisie, left his wife and children, and departed for the South Seas in 1891, having financed the journey by selling 30 paintings. His thoughts on art, his existential worries, his discovery of color, and his search for paradise are brought back to life in this volume through excerpts from letters and quotations. Complemented by approximately 40 color reproductions of his works, his biography and a foreword by an expert, the volume provides a very special view of Gauguin's cosmos.

Dutch painter Koen Vermeule (born 1965) has said that the title of one of his paintings, "Out and About," would be "a good title for the rest of my work," as his subject material is found from his travels around the world. Brightly lit figures in the street and on the beach dominate this collection of his paintings.