Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5590048 in Books
• Published on: 1974-10-24
• Binding: Hardcover
• 99 pages

Language Notes
Text: English, Spanish (translation)

Customer Reviews

Thoughts on art and personalities
As far as exciting reading goes this book is for the most part not that entertaining. However, it is memorable in that it goes inside the mind of one of the great Mexican artists of the twentieth century. The intimacy revealed in the letters is a perfect way to get a feel for the concerns and issues confronting Orozco at this particualr juncture in his life. It also is a good way to get a sense of the times both in the Unites Staes and Mexico. The letters are those written to his good friend, Jean Charlot, who supported his works throughtout his life. The book, or shall we say, the letters, reveal Orozco's thoughts on the art scene in New York, his relationships with the art world and in general, his day to day existence concerns. When a great artist has passed and we are left with their works we tend to see the greatness and forget the hardships endured to produce such monumental achievemets. His small apartment, really nothing more than a studio, foreign diet and living in a huge city as a relatively unknown artist would be enough to break most men. Thus was not the case with Orozco who was coming from Mexico dejected over his lack of mural commisions. Upon returning to New york where he previously had over one hundred watercolors confiscated by immigration for "lewdness" was heroic, brave and admirable. He went on to create some his most important mural works in the United States. A man of immense talent and courage is revealed in his letters in spite of the hardships. A realtively easy read, the book comes complete with black and white drawings and pictures of his murals that do not give justice to his supreme use of color. These leters from 1925-29 are a good reference point for you if you are an art student or studyng the life of Jose Clemente Orozco. A drawback is that the letters are only his and not Jean Charlot's responses. A plus is the inclusion of several hand written Spanish letters on the opposite page of the translations which add to the authenticity. Also included are three former unpublished writtings.Recommended for the art student who is looking for primary sources.