Title: “Les Irascibles: A Book Exploring the Birth of Abstract Expressionism in New York”
Date: June 19, 2023
Author: Bruno_30, Contributor of 20 Minutes Books
Cédric Bru’s book, “Les Irascibles,” published in April 2023 by Éditions Cherche-midi, has caught the attention of art enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Bruno_30, a contributor of the reading group 20 Minutes Books, highly recommends this treatise on the history of modern painting.
The book delves into the birth of a new artistic movement known as abstract expressionism, which emerged in New York in the 1950s. Bru skillfully combines fiction and quasi-biographies to depict the journey of American artists, such as Pollock, Rothko, and de Kooning, as they overcame their long-held inferiority complex towards European artists.
“Les Irascibles” offers readers a deep understanding of the hypercreative abundance found in the gestural paintings of these abstract expressionists. The book explores how these artists broke free from the constraints of analytical cubism and surrealism, creating a modern American painting that captivated the art world.
One of Bru’s favorite quotes from the book encapsulates the essence of the artistic process: “It was only in Paris that the canvases were finished. Here, one placed one’s fate between the claws of the work, which decided or not whether it had said everything.”
The book is not only a captivating read but also a valuable source of cultural knowledge. It provides insights into the historical context and significance of abstract expressionism, shedding light on the artistic revolution that took place in New York during the 1950s.
Bruno_30 summarizes the book’s appeal by stating, “Because it is a real treatise on the history of modern painting that we hold in our hands: discover this movement being born before our eyes, this new painting, commonly called ‘abstract expressionism,’ a modern American painting freed from analytical cubism or surrealism. Because we want to understand the hypercreative abundance of their gestural paintings and the work of those Americans who were in the process of overcoming the inferiority complex they had long harbored towards European artists. Because it’s a book full of culture which mixes fiction and quasi-biographies to depict the birth of an artistic movement in New York in the 1950s when abstract expressionism took shape under the brushes of Pollock, Rothko, de Kooning, and others to whom we could buy a canvas for a few hundred dollars.”
For those interested in exploring the world of abstract expressionism and its impact on the art world, “Les Irascibles” is a must-read. It offers a comprehensive and engaging account of the movement’s origins, providing readers with a deeper appreciation for the artists who shaped modern painting.
To learn more about “Les Irascibles” and its exploration of the abstract expressionist movement, visit 20 minutes for the full article.
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How does “Les Irascibles” provide an in-depth exploration of the birth of abstract expressionism in New York?
Riginally written in French, this book represents an in-depth exploration of the birth of abstract expressionism in New York. Through a mixture of fictional narratives and quasi-biographies, author Cédric Bru traces the artistic journey of prominent American artists, including Pollock, Rothko, and de Kooning. By examining their efforts to overcome their feelings of inferiority towards European artists, “Les Irascibles” provides readers with a profound understanding of the flourishing creativity manifested in the gestural paintings of these abstract expressionists. Furthermore, the book sheds light on how these artists defied the confines of analytical cubism and surrealism, ultimately establishing a groundbreaking American painting style that captivated the art world. Published by Éditions Cherche-midi in April 2023, this work has garnered significant attention from both art enthusiasts and history aficionados. Recommended by Bruno_30, a contributor to the esteemed reading group 20 Minutes Books, “Les Irascibles” promises to be an enlightening and engaging exploration of the history of modern painting.
This article on Les Irascibles provides a fascinating insight into the history of modern painting, showcasing the rebellious spirit and revolutionary ideas that shaped the art world. A must-read for art enthusiasts and history buffs alike.