______________________________________________________
Dr. Yarnall's 2012 book, John La Farge, A Biographical and Critical Study, is the first biography of the artist since 1911. It is also the first biography to tell all - to circumvent the artist's determination to control his image and then go on to document objectively the man's complicated personality and artistic legacy. It is a story of admirable triumphs and shameful falls from grace, of intellectual brilliance coupled with inexplicable mediocrity, of innovative and important artwork blemished by technically challenged artistry. Triumphs followed by defeats, fame mired in scandal, personal and professional relationships disfigured by estrangement and lawsuits.
So was John La Farge our "sole 'Old Master'" as his biographer of choice claimed in 1911? Or was he a bit of a disaster as several early critics opined? And what will his ultimate legacy be?
No comments:
Post a Comment