[.ca] Charles Webster Hawthorne: Paintings and Watercolors (ISBN 0295979275)

Hawthorne--American Impressionist, Watercolor Master:
This thorough collection of Charles Webster Hawthorne's paintings demonstrates his accomplishments in figure, portrait, and landscape painting. Drawing early inspiration from 17th century Dutch genre painting, then from his studies of Manet and the early impressionists, he achieved a stunning freedom of technique and sponaneity in his watercolor landscapes. Painter and teacher, Hawthorne maintains the tension between abstracton and realism, evidenced in the wonderful color photographs in this book. His art and teachings influenced many American 20th century painters, including the abstract expressionists. His teachings about artistic vision and method are presented in his notes on painting, included in this volume. (They are also published separately in "Hawthorne on Painting.") Most readers will benefit from their inclusion here as they offer an opportunity to judge his words and aesthetic principles against his paintings, rather than in a vacuum. In addition to illuminating essays by Richard Muhlberger, formerly of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Janet Flint, the text lists more than 50 museums that have Hawthorne's work in their collections. As many are small regional museums, this is a most valuable guide for further research, travel, and enjoyment of this unique master's work.